2 couples, 4 kids, princess weekend - which hotel?

[Ladybugx87]

My friend and I are running the Princess Half in 2018 and traveling with our husbands and total of 4 kids (7,5,3,1). We plan to spend a day each at AK, Epcot, and MK in addition to the race.

Is being on the monorail worth the extra cost? I haven't been to WDW since I was a child so I don't have good context. Poly was/is my top choice but early pricing estimates seem high.

And then when are final rates and any deals released?

Im a little overwhelmed so appreciate advice.

 

[kmb584]

My friend and I are running the Princess Half in 2018 and traveling with our husbands and total of 4 kids (7,5,3,1). We plan to spend a day each at AK, Epcot, and MK in addition to the race.

Is being on the monorail worth the extra cost? I haven't been to WDW since I was a child so I don't have good context. Poly was/is my top choice but early pricing estimates seem high.

And then when are final rates and any deals released?

Im a little overwhelmed so appreciate advice.

Well, everyone has different feelings as to what's worth it or not, but for me, yes. Staying at a monorail resort is worth the extra cost, and I probably would have paid even more when my daughter was still using a stroller. It's so nice being a monorail ride away from two parks, and the monorail made traveling with the stroller a lot easier. I didn't have to collapse it or worry about waking my daughter up if she was sleeping and we were going to or returning from MK or EP.

We stay almost exclusively at BLT. My daughter is 8, stroller days are long gone, but my Gammy is 83 so now it's worth the extra cost looking at it from the perspective of traveling with her, her "old bones" (her words!), and her sheer denial to rent a wheelchair. She'll only go to MK and EP because we have monorail access, and more often than not takes it back alone mid-day when she's done. Once in a blue moon, she'll venture to DHS with us, but that's rare (the steps on the buses are difficult for her) and flat out refuses AK because the ground is too uneven for her.

 

[blessedby3]

I agree it really depends on each situation. If we can swing it, we stay at a monorail resort. If we have more in our party then it is not possible (we are a family of 8, but not everyone goes on every trip). We are heading down in 7 days and are traveling with my 9 year old and my 23 mo old granddaughter. We are doing a split stay at the CR and the Grand. Being on the monorail will be so helpful to us with the little ones so we are forking out the big bucks to do it. We have stayed at every level from value to villa. Definitely prefer deluxe. I just try not to look at the final price tag We spend the majority of our time at the MK so the resorts right around it are the best for us.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We love the MK resorts - especially the Poly although the CR is a close second for the ability to walk to MK. We love that ability. We love to do a split stay with the EPCOT and MK resorts. The pool at BC/YC is wonderful and love to be able to walk to EPCOT and boat to HS. For us the money is worth it to not have to "commute" We live in NYC and take long bus and train rides everywhere. We love the short Monorail or boat rides and the ease of getting on and off especially if you have a stroller. Enjoy!

 

[belleelc77]

I was trying to price out hotels for Princess weekend also but the website it only allowing access through 12/31/17.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

You might consider WL - wonderful resort and less expensive than the monorail/Epcot resorts...but has easy watercraft access to MK and you also can take watercraft to Contemporary where you can get on monorail to Epcot (and pop over to Ft. Wilderness too) ..they have good bus service as well...great pool too!
Rates aren't out get but once they come out you can go ahead and reserve then wait for the discounts to come out - as soon as they do, you can call (or go online) and try to pick up the general public discount - Mousesavers is an online publication that will show you the history of when certain discounts usually appear plus it has lots of other useful information.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[Ladybugx87]

I agree it really depends on each situation. If we can swing it, we stay at a monorail resort. If we have more in our party then it is not possible (we are a family of 8, but not everyone goes on every trip). We are heading down in 7 days and are traveling with my 9 year old and my 23 mo old granddaughter. We are doing a split stay at the CR and the Grand. Being on the monorail will be so helpful to us with the little ones so we are forking out the big bucks to do it. We have stayed at every level from value to villa. Definitely prefer deluxe. I just try not to look at the final price tag We spend the majority of our time at the MK so the resorts right around it are the best for us.

Thank you - I do think the ease makes the (expected) price worth it.

 

[Ladybugx87]

I was trying to price out hotels for Princess weekend also but the website it only allowing access through 12/31/17.

Yes prices aren't out yet but it seems some people have called to 'reserve' a room without a quote. My friend that is running with me is about to go back to work after a maternity leave (for the 1 year that will be with us) and had time to do some research for us on expected pricing. Which race are you running?

 

[belleelc77]

Yes prices aren't out yet but it seems some people have called to 'reserve' a room without a quote. My friend that is running with me is about to go back to work after a maternity leave (for the 1 year that will be with us) and had time to do some research for us on expected pricing. Which race are you running?

I am signed up for the FTC, did my first half this year.