Cali native and Disneyland veteran Planning 1st trip to WDW - overwhelmed by resort options!

Hi all! I am just starting my research and all I can is WOW! I am really overwhelmed with all the options in planning a WDW trip!!

I live in southern California and I'm the vacation planner for the family. We spend a lot of time at Disneyland and for the last several years have always stayed at a resort hotel (either Grand Californian or Paradise Pier). So we enjoy staying on property and are big lovers of Disney!

We're taking our 2nd Disney Cruise next May and my wife and I are talking about going a few days earlier and spending 3 nights/2 days at WDW prior to the cruise. Our family hasn't been before so trying to put all these pieces together in planning!

So I'm continuing to do research but maybe you can help a friend out There are soooo many hotel options, I'm not even sure where to start. Maybe some fellow socal, Disneyland veterans can give me some tips. We prefer the GCH at DL but during peak times when the prices skyrocket we'll stay at PPH but we enjoy being close to the parks and the convenience of walking in and out. We also enjoy the early magic hour for DCA. Those are probably the primary driving factors to wanting to stay at a resort (and higher priced) hotel. Without those benefits we'd probably stick with a much more economical embassy suites or similar. Not sure if WDW has equivalent benefits to staying at a resort hotel? They all seem to be spread out and far from the parks, pretty much all requiring transport to the parks. Am I right so far? Are there some other benefits to staying at a Disney resort hotel for WDW?

So what would be a few good recommendations for hotels to narrow the choices from 30+ to maybe less then 5? lol

Also - the rooms seem to book out far ahead. My trip is for May 2016, any idea when the rooms would show available online to check prices and book?

We are thinking we would do MK one day and Epcot the next. Should we consider trying to do more and get hopper passes? We are DL passport holders and usually bounce between DL and DCA but it seems like you can't easily get from one to another and it would take some extra planning to really use a hopper pass?

Any other recommendations/guides to help a Disneyland native navigate the strange new waters of WDW?

Thank you all!

I suggest you buy a book to review. There are trade offs everywhere you stay, and you just need to weigh the options for what will suit you. You can walk to the MK only from the Contemporary. I enjoy this resort, but it's loud. You can also walk to Epcot (and Hollywood Studios) from the Boardwalk resorts, which include Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club (and Swan and Dolphin--but no free airport transpo to Swan and Dolphin). I love all of the Boardwalk resorts. Transpo to other parks is not great.

If you really only go to MK and Epcot (which I urge you not to do--explore the other parks), Poly might be a good option because you can direct monorail to both MK and Epcot (epcot is direct from transpo center, which is within walking distance).

This is a really short answer to your direct question, but I would really, really encourage you to purchase a planning guide. I like the Ultimate guide. Also, check out easywdw.com and his new book.

Hi!! I started out only going to WDW, but over the past 3 or so years I have also visited Disneyland a number of times because my brother now lives in SoCal. This year I actually purchased the Premier Annual Pass for myself as well. How exciting that this will be your first WDW trip!! It is MUCH MUCH bigger than Disneyland, so I can understand how planning a WDW visit can be overwhelming!

I have stayed in all levels of resorts at WDW and definitely have some favorites, but from your description it sounds like you may want to stay in one of the Deluxe resorts, many of which allow you to walk to at least one park. My #1 favorite is the Yacht Club/Beach Club, which allow you to walk to Epcot, and enter right into World Showcase, where a lot of the great restaurants are. These resorts also have the best pool on Disney property complete with a lazy river and sandy bottom. Boardwalk Inn is also located in this resort area and is also walking distance to Epcot, buses are required to get to Magic Kingdom.

If you are looking to be closer to Magic Kingdom, the resorts on the monorail loop are the ones you will want to look at. The Contemporary is another favorite of mine, and is walking distance to Magic Kingdom, and you can take the monorail to Epcot (or MK if your legs are tired). This one tends to be rather pricey though, so it would depend on what your budget is. If you really want to splurge, rooms in the tower with a Theme Park view get you awesome views of the MK and Wishes, the nighttime fireworks show. The Polynesian and Grand Floridian are the other two monorail resorts, however they are not walking distance to any parks.

You can book these resorts now, but there will be no discounts available at this point. They usually release the special offers a couple of months in advance, for example today they just released discounted offers for the fall. Just keep your eye out here and on the WDW website for when offers come up. You shouldn't have to pay rack rate, as there is usually some type of discount released for every season. When staying at any Disney resort on property, you will get access to extra magic hours and complimentary round trip transportation from the airport to your hotel, called the Magical Express. You will have to pay for DCL transfers from the resorts, though.

As for the type of ticket, if you are only there 2 days you will probably be fine with a 1 park per day ticket, and MK and Epcot would be my recommendations for parks to visit.

I hope that helps! Give a shout if you have any other questions!

Planning a WDW vacation is certainly different from a DLR one. And choosing a resort is a perfect example. Sounds like you are used to paying deluxe prices at DLR, and if you want proximity to the parks, you will need do do that at WDW too. And since only a few resorts are within walking proximity to a park,vthat will limit them further.

The only resort within walking distance of MK is the Contemporary resort. Poly and GF are a short monorail or launch ride away. To go to Epcot from these resorts you would either take a bus or the monorails (transfer required at the TTC). YC/BC and Boardwalk are within walking distance of Epcot and DHS but require a bus to MK.

Transportation is simply one factor that has to be considered an unavoidable variable in any WDW trip.

Resort prices for next year will be released in the summer. You can take a look at the current prices for this May to get a rough idea. Also note that unlike DLR, room only and vacation packages are frequently eligible for special offer discounts. 30% off room reservations at deluxe resorts are not unusual.

As for perks of staying at a WDW resort, here's a few
- free transportation to and from the airport on DME
- morning and evening EMH
- free MBs and the ability to make FP+ reservations at 60 days.
- ability to purchase a dining plan
- free parking at resorts and parks
- no hidden resort fees
- ability to book ADRs at 180+10

MrDisneyFan said:

Hi all! I am just starting my research and all I can is WOW! I am really overwhelmed with all the options in planning a WDW trip!!

3Not sure if WDW has equivalent benefits to staying at a resort hotel? They all seem to be spread out and far from the parks, pretty much all requiring transport to the parks. Am I right so far? Are there some other benefits to staying at a Disney resort hotel for WDW?

So what would be a few good recommendations for hotels to narrow the choices from 30+ to maybe less then 5? lol

Also - the rooms seem to book out far ahead. My trip is for May 2016, any idea when the rooms would show available online to check prices and book?

We are thinking we would do MK one day and Epcot the next. Should we consider trying to do more and get hopper passes? We are DL passport holders and usually bounce between DL and DCA but it seems like you can't easily get from one to another and it would take some extra planning to really use a hopper pass?

Any other recommendations/guides to help a Disneyland native navigate the strange new waters of WDW?

Thank you all!

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We had our first trip to DLR last summer. It was wonderful and we can't wait to go back. We stayed at the GCH and were spoiled by the closeness to the parks.

Yes WDW has Extra Magic Hours for those folks staying onsite.

Not all resorts require transport to the parks. The resorts in the Epcot area (Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club and Yacht Club) all allow you to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The Contemporary resort is the only resort where you can walk to the Magic Kingdom. I think that narrows it down to 4 and to add a 5th you could throw in the Grand Floridian. This is a monorail ride away from the MK and Epcot but the FL counterpart for the GCH! Take a look at those 5 and see which theming appeals to you the most.

I would not get Park Hoppers and really just focus on 1 park a day. As you noticed hopping in FL is much more laborious then it is in CA! You will spend more time on buses then in the parks if you end up hopping during your short trip.

I would also recommend taking a look at the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. You'll want to learn all about how to use FP+ and develop a touring plan for your 3 days before the cruise!

Have fun narrowing it down! Planning is sometimes my favorite part!

First I guess you have to figure out your budget and second figure out which parks your going to spend most of your time. If staying on property and not renting a car, for us location is everything. Deluxe are well worth it for location alone.

N. Cal native here - but grew up going to DL and lately have been going to WDW instead.
First - 2 days is just not enough time to appreciate WDW, IMO - especially when you factor in the time change coming from the west coast, is there anyway you can add a couple of days to up it to at least 4 days so that you at least have 1 day for each park?

Second - yes there are EMH in the mornings and in the evenings, whether any of these will benefit you depends on what 2 days you plan to be @ WDW - to get an idea look at which days of the week have EMH at which parks this year and compare to your days for next year, they sometimes change days around, but tend not to.

Third - regarding resorts - none of the WDW resorts give you that stroll into all the parks benefit that the DL hotels do as the parks and the resorts are so spread out. The only resort from which you can walk to MK is the Contemporary and it's not a pretty walk like it is in DL. You can monorail to the front of MK (note the monorail does not drop you inside the park like it does @ DL) from the GF, Contemporary or the Poly. These MK monorail resorts tend to be the most expensive deluxe resorts. You can catch the resort monorail over to the TTC and then change over to the Epcot monorail from these resorts as well. The Epcot monorail takes you to the front of Epcot (also outside the park.) You can also walk from the Poly to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail.
The WL is very much like the GC thematically and is a boat ride away from the MK. The WL and the AKL tend to be the least expensive deluxe resorts. AKL is bus everywhere, but very close to the AK, has a grand lobby (like the WL) and has been described as a vacation w/in a vacation because of the surrounding savannas - perhaps not the right choice for you this trip.
What I consider to be the 'middle priced moderates' are the Boardwalk Inn, Beach club and Yacht club resorts. They have super easy access into the back of Epcot (International gate between France and England) and a longer stroll (or boat ride) over to DHS. For DL vet WDW first timers these are the resorts I recommend due to the reasonable price (think DL hotel (but nicer, IMO) v. GC) and easy access to Epcot and DHS which are 2 parks we don't have in CA.

Congrats on your upcoming visit!


When we go to DL, we always stay at GC -- 2 steps and you're there! What's not to love?!! OK the price ... not so much to love (YOWSA!) but with military discount we splurge. To us, ease and comfort win the battle every time.


If you're looking for ease, you have to go Deluxe Resorts! (and then take out AKL, although lovely, too remote.) MK resorts are more expensive, but not neccarily "better" than Epcot resorts.


Personally, we like Epcot resorts, especially Boardwalk Inn or Yacht Club. We like those two since they tend to be more quiet vs. Beach Club. BWI is hands down our favorite, but Yacht Club is incredibly nice too.


The WONDERFUL thing about Epcot resorts is being able to go to 2 parks without the busses -- Epcot and HS. (You could technically do 3, but you'd need stamina, good walking shoes, and a park hopper to take the monorails to MK.)


If you are contemplating a MK resort, my first inclination was to say WL. Although, that is very reminiscent of GC and I think you should try something different! That leaves GF, Poly, and Contemporary. All 3 are so different, and that would be worth looking into what would suit you best.


IMHO, if you are going to one day each to Epcot, HS, and MK then I'd say pick an Epcot Resort so bus ride will only be 1 day. If you're only doing 2 park days, Epcot and MK, then it's more open. However, I'd still lean towards Boardwalk area since that area has a lot to offer instead of just 1 resort with a couple of restaurants. No matter what Epcot resort you'd chose (BWI, YC, BC) you have the fun of the boardwalk, numerous shops, restaurants, not to mention adding in Swan & Dolphin too.

If you want a bit of ease in transportation and you want to visit EP and MK, I'm going to suggest Poly. MK is two stops away on the monorail and you can also walk from Poly to TTC to catch the monorail to EP. Poly is also GORGEOUS and is one of the original WDW hotels. If you really want to walk to one of the parks, I would go with an EP resort (YC, BC or BWI). BC is closest to EP. You can walk right into EP, but would have to take a bus to MK. The EP area resorts are really the closest you will get to that DL/DCA/resort proximity.

Wow, so much great information. Thank you thank you! Keep it coming!

We had planned on 2 days and if that's all we can do then it is what it is. But... after starting to read through this I think I would really like to convince my DW that we need 3-5 days...

Sounds like we will probably have to rely on transportation getting to the parks at least some of the time. Since we're not right on a park like the DLR hotels, taking that out of the equation what your favorites?

So if we can only do 2 days we were thinking we would do MK and Epcot. Is that the best choice for 2 days with a 9 and 11 year old?

Hi MrDisneyFan

We live in N. California and have taken our kids to Disneyland as well as WDW quite a bit. My children are similar ages to yours (10 & 11). If you can at all stay for a longer time period, I would do so. There is so much to see! We have stayed at the CR and the Poly (which are near the MK). We enjoyed those resorts, but our favorite resort is the YC (which is near Epcot). We like the pool there and also it is a very short walk to Epcot (where we spend a lot of time). I am not sure if I would suggest MK over AK. We don't have AK in So Cal and many of the rides in the MK are the same as what we have here. My kids rank the parks--Epcot, MK and AK as tied for 2nd and HS last. Not sure if this helps--enjoy your planning!