Help me convince a friend to upgrade from an AoA suite to CR/Poly

chasgoose · Jul 30, 2016

I'm planning a trip to Disney with a friend for late January 2017 through early February 2017 and we are currently booked in an AoA suite, but I am trying to convince her to upgrade to a monorail deluxe resort. From my understanding the time we are going sees discounts that will bring the CR (tower)/Poly down to close to what we are paying now for AoA, but she likes the idea of more space and exclusive busses.

I haven't been to WDW since 2001 when i was a teenager, and we stayed at the YC. I came this close to booking a trip to Disney in 2008 staying at the CR, but things intervened. That said, I really want to stay at a monorail resort this time, partially because I'm a train nerd, but also because I can remember the time we went to the California Grill and I was like this place is awesome (I'm not put off but the CR theme).

What are some things I could say to my friend to convince her, and also what are good responses to the arguments she is going to make against me?

happymommy · Jul 30, 2016

I don't know if it's worth it for just the two of you to be booked in the suite.

How much time will you spend at the resort? I've stayed at the CR and while it was good, we got a military price of less than $150 a night (it was during Shades of Green's closure for renovations). I did like how large the room was, but it's not my favorite resort.

What is your budget?

Is the resort super important? Do you agree on theme park touring styles? Or will you spend time going off and doing your own things?

Have you considered an Epcot area resort? Walking to Epcot and DHS is a nice perk, and the whole Boardwalk area is nice too.

I'm not a huge diehard monorail resort fan, although I've loved our stays at the GF. I just don't think I can stomach the room rates as they've gone so high. I'd rather stay at Pop Century and go more often though!

Nancyg56 · Jul 30, 2016

The first thing I would think about is if you both really want or need a suite. I am not sure what the cost is but I think that the space is a bit expensive.

I think I would discuss the resort now, and find out why you friend wants the AofA resort, determine what your budgets are and then you can look at the resort change issue. There is a lot to be said for being on the monorail line in regards to convenience and atmosphere, but you could pay a substantial amount more than you are now. Amenities at a deluxe in ease as well, but you need to think about your touring style. WIll you use them?

My DD is at the Poly right now and is very happy there, It is her favorite resort and with the discount it fell within her budget. She has had no monorail issues, has foud that the grounds are well groomed and gorgeous, and thinks the pool and quick serve options are good.

Marionnette · Jul 30, 2016

chasgoose said:
I'm planning a trip to Disney with a friend for late January 2017 through early February 2017 and we are currently booked in an AoA suite, but I am trying to convince her to upgrade to a monorail deluxe resort. From my understanding the time we are going sees discounts that will bring the CR (tower)/Poly down to close to what we are paying now for AoA, but she likes the idea of more space and exclusive busses.

I haven't been to WDW since 2001 when i was a teenager, and we stayed at the YC. I came this close to booking a trip to Disney in 2008 staying at the CR, but things intervened. That said, I really want to stay at a monorail resort this time, partially because I'm a train nerd, but also because I can remember the time we went to the California Grill and I was like this place is awesome (I'm not put off but the CR theme).

What are some things I could say to my friend to convince her, and also what are good responses to the arguments she is going to make against me?

If you want to convince her to change her plans in favor of CR, then you should adjust your focus on what SHE would like about it and not what YOU like.

You're not going to win the "more space" argument. The AoA suites have more space than CR rooms. They also have a second bathroom that makes it appealing. And then there is the kitchenette, which makes it easier to grab a quick breakfast or to reheat leftovers. In order to convert her over to CR, you will have to find something at CR that will appeal to her more than these advantages that AoA has.

IMO, there's not much that CR has that competes with AoA other than location. It's close to great restaurants. It has easy access to MK and monorail access to Epcot. The interior corridors and quieter rooms. You don't need to go outside to grab some food. You get towels at the pool instead of having to bring one from your room. Hit upon those pluses and hope that she values those more than the extra space, kitchenette and 2nd bathroom at AoA.

Eastern · Jul 30, 2016

How much are you paying for AoA? The cheapest I've seen CR is ~$300 per night for GW. The tower is always much higher, even with a good discount.

Eastern · Jul 30, 2016

happymommy said:
I've stayed at the CR and while it was good, we got a military price of less than $150 a night (it was during Shades of Green's closure for renovations). I did like how large the room was, but it's not my favorite resort.

Was this in 2003? Because I haven't heard of a price like that in years.

I think I went for the first time around 1994 or so and the tower was $300 rack rate.

Lynne M · Jul 30, 2016

Just a guess, but I think she's looking for some privacy. An AoA suite has two bathrooms, two separate sleeping areas. That may be what's attracting her.

Chrelaine · Jul 30, 2016

I agree that she probably likes the idea of a little privacy with the extra bath, separate bedroom. Personally, I probably wouldn't change my mind unless you appealed to my wallet

Transportation and proximity to MK would be good places to start.

happymommy · Jul 30, 2016

Eastern said:
Was this in 2003? Because I haven't heard of a price like that in years.

I think I went for the first time around 1994 or so and the tower was $300 rack rate.

Yes it was about that year or maybe a year or so later. It was a garden wing room, and they were offering the rate we would have paid at SOG. They used to offer really great deals for military overflow rooms when SOG was full - we stayed places we couldn't have afforded otherwise! Beach Club was $109 one trip!

I still wasn't in love with the CR though.

For privacy, I would rather do two rooms at Pop than a suite at AOA - if it were cheaper though! The older I get, the more I value some privacy though, even over resort amenities. If I were young, I guess it wouldn't be as big of a deal, but now it's nice to have my own space!

Sue M · Jul 30, 2016

The problem I see at AoA is how do you determine who gets the bedroom? And who gets stuck in living room pull out? Will the person who gets the bedroom pay more? I agree, if it's privacy your friend needs, getting 2 standard value rooms at AoA or Pop may be less expensive.

What is your touring style? Are you park open to closing types? Or will you also be spending time enjoying a deluxe resort ammenities? CR does have large rooms and 2 people would find it quite comfortable. And being on monorail and walking distance to MK bus loop makes it very easy to get to other resorts for dining reservations.

chasgoose · Jul 30, 2016

The main reason we were interested in AoA was that my sister may or may not be joining us for all or part of this trip, thus we would be three adults (two girls and one guy), and we liked the idea of having more space (and interior hallways, which is a big problem for me regarding the other values and mods) and three beds and two bathrooms. I can't tell, but the pulldown bed at AoA seems more comfortable for an adult than the daybeds at the deluxes. Also, as far as I can tell, the AoA rooms are approximately $100-150/night cheaper than the next cheapest Deluxe resort (excluding AKL/WL). I realize that will change when discounts are released, but for now that's what we have booked.

In terms of touring styles, we like to get to the parks for rope drop/EMH, stay until mid-afternoon, go back and recharge at the hotel and hit up the parks again in the evening. That's the main reason I want to do a deluxe resort, because I feel like easy access to at least some of the parks would be well worth it given that we like to get there early and also take a mid-day break. Right now I am leaning towards the Poly garden view rooms since the CR tower rooms are probably a little too pricey.

minnie mum · Jul 30, 2016

Just don't count your chickens before they've hatched. Meaning, don't switch resorts until a discount has actually been offered.

chasgoose · Jul 30, 2016

minnie mum said:
Just don't count your chickens before they've hatched. Meaning, don't switch resorts until a discount has actually been offered.

I realize that. That's one of the reasons we are currently at the AoA instead of a Deluxe for the moment. That said, I don't think I have ever seen a year where they haven't released a discount for the time we are going.

Eastern · Jul 30, 2016

chasgoose said:
I realize that. That's one of the reasons we are currently at the AoA instead of a Deluxe for the moment. That said, I don't think I have ever seen a year where they haven't released a discount for the time we are going.

CR tower discounts are getting less frequent. I planned on getting a discount in early January 2015 and there was nothing left as I think they released FL resident discounts first, ended up going to Poly. Then went this past mid-January, but the discounts were not great. 15% off a ridiculous price is still ridiculous. A certain TA that is popular here had GV rooms for $296 and said they rarely get tower rooms at a discount.

Help me convince a friend to upgrade from an AoA suite to CR/Poly

chasgoose

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happymommy

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Nancyg56

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Marionnette

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Eastern

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Eastern

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Lynne M

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Chrelaine

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happymommy

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Sue M

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chasgoose

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minnie mum

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chasgoose

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