With This Schedule, Where Would You Stay?

[samgminov]

We will be at Disney April 20-26, and based on some pre-planning and ADRs, our schedule will be:

Park Day 1-Magic Kingdom
Park Day 2-Animal Kingdom
Park Day 3-Epcot
Park Day 4-Hollywood Studios
Park Day 5-Magic Kingdom

We were booked at Wilderness Lodge, but then I started having concerns about the fact that we were spending all of this money and we weren't going to be in the room at all. So I swung the other way and booked Pop Century. Now I'm having concerns about that, too, as our DC are 5 and 3 and I worry about spending too much time traveling back and forth by bus.

I have been looking into renting a DVC at Beach Club, Wilderness or Contemporary, as the price point is close to that at Pop. The travel convenience would be great, but I don't know about the "magic" of the villas. Can you guys make any recommendations based on our circumstances? Thank you so much!

 

[readytogotodisney]

We will be at Disney April 20-26, and based on some pre-planning and ADRs, our schedule will be:

Park Day 1-Magic Kingdom
Park Day 2-Animal Kingdom
Park Day 3-Epcot
Park Day 4-Hollywood Studios
Park Day 5-Magic Kingdom

We were booked at Wilderness Lodge, but then I started having concerns about the fact that we were spending all of this money and we weren't going to be in the room at all. So I swung the other way and booked Pop Century. Now I'm having concerns about that, too, as our DC are 5 and 3 and I worry about spending too much time traveling back and forth by bus.


I have been looking into renting a DVC at Beach Club, Wilderness or Contemporary, as the price point is close to that at Pop. The travel convenience would be great, but I don't know about the "magic" of the villas. Can you guys make any recommendations based on our circumstances? Thank you so much!

If price wise, renting DVC points is close to the price of Pop, then I would go that route. We've stayed at BCV, OKW, BLT, and BWV and they've all be wonderful. I still feel the magic and get that Disney feeling.
Personally I love BLT (villas connected to CR) the most, and would try for that.

ETA: BLT will also offer the convenience of walking to MK, and a short monorail ride and a transfer over to Epcot. That seems to be were the majority of your days will be planned.

 

[GusGus77]

I don't have personal experience with dvc, but have read a lot about it on the boards and on point rental sites. Since your trip is in April, be aware that some of the dvc resorts may not be available only 5 months out. They just dont have the same open availability that the resorts have. I have heard some of them like BLT often need to be booked 11 months out. So before you have your heart set on that option, you may want to check availability. Just a thought. But I am sure someone with more experience can advise you on that. I would be interesting in someone else's opinion on this matter, too, who actually knows what they are talking about. I don't want to give you bad info, op, but wanted to bring this up just in case.

 

[HM]

When our kids were 4 and 6 we stayed in All Star Music and the kids loved it. After that trip we started staying in Deluxe resorts over the next few trips and they still talked about ASMu as a fun place. We did use the buses and had no issues at ASMu. So, if the pricing of a Value resort really appeals to you and you like the theming, go for it. PopC is a fine resort. I also don't take which parks we are visiting into much consideration when planning my resort choice. I figure, we'll get to them all and there are pros and cons to staying in any area.

 

[kanderson89]

PopC is a fine resort. I also don't take which parks we are visiting into much consideration when planning my resort choice. I figure, we'll get to them all and there are pros and cons to staying in any area.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Have never stayed at Pop but there are LOTS of fans on these boards. We have done almost that identical park schedule and have stayed at both WL and AKL. AKL only had bus as transportation but was fine, and WL was also fine. Point being: You'll always be close to one park and farther away from another, and if you don't spend a ton of time at your resort, then stay with Pop.

 

[MikeRx]

We too struggled with this over the past few trips and elected to stay on the monorail as the majority of our trip was at the MK or EP. We have 4.5yo and chose the Poly for the theme, serenity and transportation. He loved the POLY and the monorail is as important to the trip as any of the rides in the parks!

We’ve not done the DVC points, but would agree with the previous post about the BLT at the Contemporary due to the transportation. One of the greatest memories from our April trip this year was getting up the last day and taking our son over to the MK to ride the train one last time (we are train fans) while mom and MIL packed! It was a great father & son moment and kept him out of the way for packing (she actually suggested it so no flames please).

With that said, we have a “what the heck holiday celebration” 4 day trip planned in 11 days that has us at the POP because the POP has a dedicated bus route and was a fantastic deal. So if you stay in a value with small children the POP may be the way to go, we will find out soon.


Mike DW DS (4) DMIL

First visit 1976, WDW 2/2010 BC CL, Disneyland GC 12/2010, WDW 4/2012 POLY TPV, WDW 7/2012 (off site meeting), WDW 12/12 POP and 4/2013 POLY with Disney Dream cruise!


and

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

We tend to stay mostly at deluxe resorts,but just like you I often think it's a silly way to spend money because we are really just at the resort for hour or two of waking time every day. I do know that I found the convenience of Poly very wonderful on our last trip. DD3 needed to come back for short breaks a couple of days, and I just jumped on the ferry from MK and the monorail from Epcot and got back and forth in no time and without having to fold down her stroller and take her out. I couldn't help thinking it would have been much less manageable by myself on the bus (dh and older dds stayed at the parks). But for sheer "magic" likely to appeal to younger children, I think AOA or AsMo are likely the best.

 

[NMDisneyFan]

Pop Century has dedicated buses so you won't be wasting a lot of time on transportation. Use the money you will be saving on a deposit for another trip!

 

[GusGus77]

POP was very easy whe we went with a 3 and 12 mo old. We did pay a little more for a proffered room, though, just to cut down on the walking within the resort.

 

[minnie mum]

We never base our resort selection on transportation. There are transportation pros and cons at every single resort, whether they are values, mods or deluxes.

Base your resort selection on the theme and amenities available at the resort. We've stayed at all levels of resort over the years and have never found ONE resort that has ideal transportation to all of the parks.

 

[Sandi]

I would be more concerned about the size of the beds than the transportation issues. When it is just DD and me, we happily stay at Pop. It really is one of our favorite resorts. But, we each get our own bed -- which is only a full size bed. When DH travels with us, we stay where there is a queen bed -- most recently WL. With kids 3 and 5, you'll likely want to return to the resort for naps (maybe not for the kids, but you'll need a nap).

If you can get a DVC resort for the Pop price, I'd do that. We've stayed at SSR and BWV and were pleased with both. BWV definitely had a Disney feel -- SSR, not so much, but still nice.

 

[twinboysmom]

Hi OP. As a DVC member, if you wish to book a DVC room I would recommend doing so very quickly. When I checked availability (which can be gone in a minute) I saw 2 of your 3 choices available. I would assume you are considering a studio. Just realize it will only have one real bed. The other bed is a sofa bed (which I have found to be very comfortable). Of the 3 resorts, I would recommend BLT for your family. With 2 days at MK and one day at Epcot, you would only need to use the buses twice. We love the WALK to the MK from BLT. Took us around 7 minutes. So easy!

I do think that pop would be fine. I don't think you spend at much time on the buses and kids love the values.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We had fantastic vacations at pop century, never had problems with the buses. I would go back to pop century in a heart beat if I wasn't a dvc owner.

 

[letsgoreds]

I'm another one that wouldn't stay in a resort with full sized beds. You may spend more time than you think in your room. At those ages pool is king! That being said, the pool at BLT isn't great for a 3yo (slide is big, stairway narrow and slippery). I heard the studios are tiny, tiny. That being said, I love the decor, so it is in the running for a Dec 2013 trip!

At WL, the villa rooms look a little dated, but the main pool is great for your kids. The busses also drop off at the spot where the villas and WL join, so not too long of a walk...walking to the boats will take a bit longer, as the dock is on the far side of the lodge.

-or- Beach club?

Good luck!

 

[bdklein]

I just jumped on the ferry from MK without having to fold down her stroller and take her out.

Really? On the boat from MK to the GF/Poly? Never have seen that before. You must have been extra nice to the Boat Captain.

 

[meljean]

We stayed at POP for the first time and we loved it! My boys were 4 and 1 1/2 and I thought we would come back for naps, we did one out of 9 days. We had a double stroller and they slept or rested there. We didn't push them hard though. You well love POP!

 

[samgminov]

POP was very easy whe we went with a 3 and 12 mo old. We did pay a little more for a proffered room, though, just to cut down on the walking within the resort.

We booked a preferred room, too....My 3-year old is a bit of a diva when it comes to walking.

 

[samgminov]

Thank you all for your advice. All the decisions....How does anyone ever plan a vacation!!!!

 

[samgminov]

I would be more concerned about the size of the beds than the transportation issues.

I was concerned about this, too, but my kids are really little and DH can sleep with one and I can sleep with the other. They have full sized beds at home and I've fallen asleep with them while putting them down for bed, more times than I care to admit.

 

[catherines_mama]

If you want magic out of a DVC BWV boardwalk view did it for us. It was wonderful! Otherwise, book Moderate, you'll have magic and less cost than WL. POFQ is our fav