1st trip--Which resort?

[kirs10a]

We are a family of 5: DS 6, DS 4, DD 11 months (at our travel date in June)

We're looking @ 5/29-6/3. I've priced things to death....and I'm in need of some additional input. I've gotten GREAT responses to a few other questions.

My question is---which resort package do you see as the best value?
We're looking to stay at a mod or deluxe...or possibly at the Dolphin. I was actually surprised to run the numbers for the Dolphin....because I thought it would be alot cheaper, but I think our out of pocket for food would negate any initial savings.

Moderate:
Port Orleans Riverside, $3323, get $500 gc
waterview
includes dining & flight

Deluxe:
Contemporary, $4088, get $750 gc
garden wing/standard view
includes dining & flight

Deluxe:
Animal Kingdom Lodge, $4145, get $750 gc
pool view/bunk beds
includes dining & flight

Dolphin--$2646 WITHOUT DINING or GC
$149/night + $10 resort fee/day + tax: $895
airfare: $764
transportation: $141
tickets: $846

Thanks in advance....I've been running numbers for 2 days and my head is starting to spin! DH just says "whatever you think is best..."

 

[ROEDISNEY]

In my opinion every place you picked is great. It really depends on what you want to spend and only you can answer that. Also sometimes it's not about the money. If you really want to stay at the deluxe I mean if that's where your heart is than pick one of them.

 

[fitzpat]

One way to save money is on the tickets. Due to your children ages, you might want only a three day ticket. While there are greater savings over time if you get the bigger ticket package, if you want to lower your costs at this time, then take fewer days.

 

[KatMark]

We are a family of 5: DS 6, DS 4, DD 11 months (at our travel date in June)

We're looking @ 5/29-6/3. I've priced things to death....and I'm in need of some additional input. I've gotten GREAT responses to a few other questions.

My question is---which resort package do you see as the best value?
We're looking to stay at a mod or deluxe...or possibly at the Dolphin. I was actually surprised to run the numbers for the Dolphin....because I thought it would be alot cheaper, but I think our out of pocket for food would negate any initial savings.

Moderate:
Port Orleans Riverside, $3323, get $500 gc
waterview
includes dining & flight

Deluxe:
Contemporary, $4088, get $750 gc
garden wing/standard view
includes dining & flight

Deluxe:
Animal Kingdon Lodge, $4088, get $750 gc
pool view/bunk beds
includes dining & flight

Dolphin--$2646 WITHOUT DINING or GC
$149/night + $10 resort fee/day + tax: $895
airfare: $764
transportation: $141
tickets: $846

Thanks in advance....I've been running numbers for 2 days and my head is starting to spin! DH just says "whatever you think is best..."

We've only stayed at one of the four you mentioned. The Dolphin holds no interest to us at all; we've stayed at the Contemporary but it was our least favorite of the two deluxes we've stayed at (the other was the Poly). We hope to do a split stay with the AKL next year with our home resort, the Coronado. We've not stayed at the POR-Riverside, but we have visited a couple of times. Personally, we are "moderate" people--we just can't justify the cost of a deluxe when the moderate we stay at offers everything we need. I would go with the POR-Riverside and use that extra money for a special meal or show or if you want deluxe go with the AKL--it is simply stunning.

 

[sydneysmom]

If you're planning on spending most of your time at the Magic Kingdom, I would vote for the Contemporary only because you'll be right on the monorail (and within walking distance to MK). With 3 little ones, that can be a big help not having to worry about buses. Plus, you can take the monorail to the Poly for the Lelo and Stitch breakfast or to the GF for the Mary Poppins breakfast or Cinderella dinner or you have Chef Mickeys character breakfast at the Contemporary. You're only a monorail ride to the tta where you can get another monorail to Epcot.

we're going in Sept and we chose the GF because we're brining our DD4. We wanted to be on the monorail and close to the MK since we knew most days we'd spend there. and we loved the idea of being able to get on the monorail and head back for a nap / swim and not worry about waiting for the bus.

another bonus to staying at the monorail resorts is that you can sit on the beach and watch the fireworks over MK. Also, each night the electric water parade makes it's way through the 7 Seas Lagoon. All these things you can bring tired kids in their jammies down to the beach to watch then walk right up to bed !!!

whatever your decision, you can't go wrong. you'll be at Disney !!

 

[kirs10a]

In my opinion every place you picked is great. It really depends on what you want to spend and only you can answer that. Also sometimes it's not about the money. If you really want to stay at the deluxe I mean if that's where your heart is than pick one of them.

You have great advice....but sometimes it'd be easier if someone said "Choice 3!"

 

[kirs10a]

If you're planning on spending most of your time at the Magic Kingdom, I would vote for the Contemporary only because you'll be right on the monorail (and within walking distance to MK). With 3 little ones, that can be a big help not having to worry about buses. Plus, you can take the monorail to the Poly for the Lelo and Stitch breakfast or to the GF for the Mary Poppins breakfast or Cinderella dinner or you have Chef Mickeys character breakfast at the Contemporary. You're only a monorail ride to the tta where you can get another monorail to Epcot.

we're going in Sept and we chose the GF because we're brining our DD4. We wanted to be on the monorail and close to the MK since we knew most days we'd spend there. and we loved the idea of being able to get on the monorail and head back for a nap / swim and not worry about waiting for the bus.

another bonus to staying at the monorail resorts is that you can sit on the beach and watch the fireworks over MK. Also, each night the electric water parade makes it's way through the 7 Seas Lagoon. All these things you can bring tired kids in their jammies down to the beach to watch then walk right up to bed !!!

whatever your decision, you can't go wrong. you'll be at Disney !!

That's GREAT information---I put that on the "pro" list for the Contemporary!

 

[Minniemama350]

I love POR, but considering MK and your kids, Contemporary might be a better choice because you will travel less. You really can't lose though. (I agree that I don't see any advantage to the Dolphin)

 

[havaneselover]

CR because of the walkway to MK and the monorail. With three young children you'll love the convenience.

 

[buzznina]

Only you can decide what you want to spend and you have already ran the numbers multiple times, so now you need to look at the resorts. You need to look at photos of the resort, their rooms and their amenities. Check out these:
http://travelwithkids.about.com/lr/disney_world_resorts/325287/2/
http://www.portorleans.org/
http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm
See what appeals to you and your family and then decide, these are all great resorts.

 

[PearlySwan]

My vote is for the Contemporary Resort. Do you children still nap? If so, I'd say CR would be the easiest resort to get to/from Magic Kingdom. You can access Magic Kingdom through a walkway (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2140296); or simply jump on the monorail to get to MK. Furthermore, the monorail allows you easy access to the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Epcot. Hope that helps!

 

[summerlvr]

I would say the Contemporary. The rooms are bigger, you can walk to the MK and you have lots of dining choices close by. The AKL is very isolated and you have to take the bus everywhere. If you wanted to do a character meal at another resort, you're looking at a very long commute.

 

[kirs10a]

Only you can decide what you want to spend and you have already ran the numbers multiple times, so now you need to look at the resorts. You need to look at photos of the resort, their rooms and their amenities. Check out these:
http://travelwithkids.about.com/lr/disney_world_resorts/325287/2/
http://www.portorleans.org/
http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm
See what appeals to you and your family and then decide, these are all great resorts.

great links--thx

 

[Pygoplites]

Another vote for Contemporary: large, classy, comfortable rooms; good transportation; plus there's always a possibility of being upgraded (garden wing with a gorgeous water view is a good possibility and even an outside chance of getting a tower room). And even if you remain in a standard view room, it will still be nice. Animal Kingdom is a very close second, but if you plan to spend more time at MK than other parks, it's hard to beat CR, Poly or GF.

Is the difference between the cost of a moderate and deluxe a big deal to you? If your answer is "Eh, no biggie...what's another $800?" then go with CR or AKL. If, on the other hand, you're the kind of person who will be expending a lot of thought on a "running cost/benefit analysis," then go with a moderate.

My dearest friend is one of those people that is constantly fixated on exactly how much everything costs and while it works great for running her household, she has a hard time enjoying a splurge on a vacation. I wish I had that trait in everyday life, but I'm glad I don't when it comes to vacation.

 

[Kimberle]

JMHO, but I would stay at either AKL or WL. These are both wonderful deluxe resorts with great amenities. They also each sleep only *4*, where the other deluxes sleep 5 (as with POR-Riverside). Since your baby is only 11 mths, s/he doesn't "count". After his/her 3rd b-day, s/he'll count and you won't be able to stay at AKL or WL unless you book a suite or 2 rooms. All the other deluxe resorts can wait giving you an excuse to plan a trip in the future.

 

[polkadotminnie]

JMHO, but I would stay at either AKL or WL. These are both wonderful deluxe resorts with great amenities. They also each sleep only *4*, where the other deluxes sleep 5 (as with POR-Riverside). Since your baby is only 11 mths, s/he doesn't "count". After his/her 3rd b-day, s/he'll count and you won't be able to stay at AKL or WL unless you book a suite or 2 rooms. All the other deluxe resorts can wait giving you an excuse to plan a trip in the future.

I agree that if you are planning on making this a regular trip, stay at a resort that sleeps four. In a few years you will not be able to do that without paying a lot. We are a family of 5 and there are not as many resort choices without adding a huge cost. AKL is wonderful!

 

[Stormin'theCastle]

I think you should price out a standard room @AKL instead of paying for a pool view and bunk beds upfront. We booked a standard there in Jan '08 and were upgraded to Savannah view upon check-in. No guarantee this would happen for you of course; but AKL is a fabulous resort, and even if you don't have a view from your room, there are plenty of spots throughout the resort to view the animals. I bet the price would come down significantly enough for you to go deluxe for a lot less! The dining and atmosphere at AKL can't be beat.

Just my two cents! Didn't mean to give you even more options Good luck!

 

[amzking]

JMHO, but I would stay at either AKL or WL. These are both wonderful deluxe resorts with great amenities. They also each sleep only *4*, where the other deluxes sleep 5 (as with POR-Riverside). Since your baby is only 11 mths, s/he doesn't "count". After his/her 3rd b-day, s/he'll count and you won't be able to stay at AKL or WL unless you book a suite or 2 rooms. All the other deluxe resorts can wait giving you an excuse to plan a trip in the future.

I completely agree here. I love love love WL, and it is still convenient with boat service to MK (which was fabulous last week, BTW). It is also nice that it is all one building. It was not unusual to see kids in their PJ's at Roaring Forks for breakfast, and it was super easy to pop downstairs to fill up our mugs, I even sent the kids down by themselves once or twice. I think having everything all in one building is a big advantage that people tend to overlook when they are looking at WL compared to other resorts like CR, GF, and Poly. I would think staying in the garden wing at CR and having to trek over to the main building to get anything would get old fast. Just my humble opinion, but I think one of the advantages of staying deluxe should be the convenience of only one building, and not all deluxes have that advantage.

 

[Native NYer]

I say Contemporary. The walkway to the MK is fantastic. Plus, you'll be one monorail stop away from the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail.

Your flights are so cheap! I WISH I could get flights under $1400 from JFK.

 

[kirs10a]

I agree that if you are planning on making this a regular trip, stay at a resort that sleeps four. In a few years you will not be able to do that without paying a lot. We are a family of 5 and there are not as many resort choices without adding a huge cost. AKL is wonderful!

GREAT point!