1st trip--Which resort?

[kirs10a]

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.

Another point that I hadn't considered.....hmmm....and I almost had myself convinced to book the CR!

 

[kirs10a]

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!

Okay...I priced out the standard room @ both Wilderness Lodge & Animal Kingdom. The price is $3920 + $750 gc....the difference is just $168 less than the CR.

For the convenience of the monorail, with kids who will probably need to return to the hotel in the afternoon.....I'm leaning towards the CR. We will probably only do the MK, AK, and DHS, and leave Epcot for another time.
Rough plan:
1st day, arrive around 4. Check in....monorail to MK
2nd day, MK
3rd day, AK
4th day, DHS
5th day, MK
6th day, 8:55 flight

 

[kirs10a]

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.

We are lucky with our flight! It's $170/person RT!

 

[Planogirl]

I'd look at theming and location. It's a great point that you can stay in a single room at some of the resorts with the baby which in a few years won't be so easy.

All of the resorts are nice so this is a great problem to have!

 

[iloveeeyore]

This is a different point, but have you considered NOT purchasing the dining plan and using the GC to cover some/most of your dining expenses? That would save quite a lot, and you won't feel pressured to find ways to spend that big GC. We have found that the DP doesn't save us that much money. If you look at the menus of the venues where you want to dine and add up the cost of what you'd likely order, you might find it's close to breaking even (I mean using DDP vs. buying meals out of pocket).

Another point in case you didn't know this...the Dolphin has double beds, but the Swan has queens. For my family, we'd stay at the Swan over the Dolphin just for the bigger beds.

Good luck choosing, I don't think you can make a bad choice. Go with the theme that calls you!

 

[teach22180]

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.

What she said!

I enjoyed my visit to the AKL and Boma this past summer, but it was quite a trek. I'm not sure I'd want to do it with three kids under 7 each day I'm at Disney!

 

[Scott MC]

Ugh...such a decision!
I've stayed at POR, and the Dolphin.
I think the Dolphin takes a lot of unnecessary abuse on this board because it's not owned by Disney. I think it's a stunning hotel, both inside and outside. It's location is spectacular, and the rooms are spacious and very well appointed. The views can also be breathtaking. The problem, for me is the lack of Magical Express. If they'd add that on, then I'd stay at the Dolphin all the time.

Of the choices you've presented, I'd personally go with the AKL. I say this mostly because of process of elimination.
CR- I wouldn't go for the garden wing....tower or nothing.
POR- With 5, it'd be crowded.
Dolphin- Lack of ME, lack of free dining, sad, but those are big for me.

I think you'll be fine with whatever you choose, but if it were up to me, AKL. The kids will love it!

 

[toodycat]

Contemporary! Although I've never stayed there, many of my friends have and came back with glowing reviews.I think you will appreciate the range of transportation options and the proximity to MK, especially with a little one.

When the baby is a bit bigger, stay at AKL. At her current age, the animals may not make the impression on her that they will when she is a little older.

Happy New Year!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Another vote for CR. When our kids were younger we always stayed at a monorail resort. Made it so much easier with strollers and we spent the majority of our time at MK. Also at CR you can just walk to MK.

If you decide to go with CR don't forget Chef Mickey's and we love the Wave!

 

[dawnmommy]

with the gift card, the Contemporary is only $350 more than the POR? If so, I'd choose the Contemporary, due to the ease of transportation with 3 little ones. You can walk or monorail to MK, and see the fireworks and water parade right from the resort.

I know that for us, with 2 little ones, the 3 monorail resorts ended up being the best choice, and the Garden Wing at the Contemporary is pretty affordable for all that you get, and the size of the room.

That was our original choice, we ended up at the Poly as the Garden Wing at CR was not available for our dates and our PIN.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I would probably book CR for the larger rooms and walk to MK.

I would NOT book a water view at POR. The water view doesn't mean you'll be closer to the food court just that you can see water from your room-not a huge advantage at a resort with exterior corridors.

 

[ToddyLu]

OK guys don't flame me here....I would do Pop Century, tough it out and go again in November....two trips in one year.....now that's what I'm talkin about

The theming is great and the food pretty good. While I certainly can appreciate the ammenities of Deluxe (I am with the CR group here since the OP have small children). I don't know...the monorail would make an impression but I think I would ALWAYS remember the 50 foot Big Wheel at that age. I know, I know....value and deluxe are worlds apart.

But alas I will leave this to the folks who actually have children and have had to trek it out of the parks in a hurry. Have a terrific trip and until you go...you can't imagine how much there is to do there.

 

[jen42002]

I have stayed at all but the Dolphin. The Dolphin is way too pricey when you add all the extras in compared to the other 3 options. For the $500 difference, I would pick the deluxe over the moderate. Both AKL and Contemporary are great resorts. If you want to stay at AKL, now would be the time to do it. The rooms only hold 4 and 1 under 3. In two years you would need to book two rooms, now you can book only one. The CR is great due to monorail access. It would hold your entire family now and in the future. Think you need to decide where you will be spending the most amount of time. If you will be spending alot of time at the MK and monrail access is a priority, pick the CR. If not, pick AKL.