2nd Trip! Where would you go and when would you go?

[TravelinSouth]

My family of 4 took our 1st trip to Disney in 2008. We swore (after our amazing trip), we would go back in 1-2 years. But...life happened and here it is 2013 and we're just planning our return trip. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge last time and LOVED it. Our budget is a bit tighter now. We're looking at moderates and value resorts. Our boys will be 8 & 10 when we go next year. What's your recommendation and WHY?

If we have to go in the summer (after July 1), when is the best time to go?

 

[Ravenne]

Are you planning on surprising the kids? If not, then what I usually do is sit down as a family and plot out things we must have, want to have, and budget, then have the kids give us opinions on the resorts we've narrowed down that fits our needs. Of course, my kids love the themes at the Value resorts, so we always consider those, but the reality is, it's quite cramped with kids yours age. There are only 2 double beds in the rooms so trying to figure out sleeping arrangements is kind of like a game of Tetris. It's absolutely doable, however. Have fun planning!

 

[mickeynut1]

My family of 4 took our 1st trip to Disney in 2008. We swore (after our amazing trip), we would go back in 1-2 years. But...life happened and here it is 2013 and we're just planning our return trip. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge last time and LOVED it. Our budget is a bit tighter now. We're looking at moderates and value resorts. Our boys will be 8 & 10 when we go next year. What's your recommendation and WHY?

If we have to go in the summer (after July 1), when is the best time to go?

We've never stayed at any of the values and only one mod, which was CBR. We stayed at CBR when our boys were 7 & 9 and they loved the pool (which has been redone since our stay). We liked CBR as the atmosphere was beautiful, the food court was good, the pool was fun, and the bus transportation was great. The pirate rooms look fun for boys, too. The pirate rooms weren't around when we stayed there, but I would have definitely booked one if that was an option. If you are going after July 1, I would wait until at least the middle of July as that's when the rates usually drop. Good luck and happy planning as I'm sure you will get a lot of good opinions/suggestions on resorts .

 

[TravelinSouth]

I started pricing out the options tonight. I would love to admit that I'd be happy staying in a value, but I'm sort of a self-proclaimed hotel snob. As soon as I saw it was 2 doubles at the values, the red flags went up. Thank you Mickeynut1...I think I may look into CBR. My boys would love those Pirate rooms! You mentioned the rates usually drop in mid-July, do they usually go even cheaper in August?

 

[ekendall2]

You would be fine staying at a value.


The kids will love the theming.

If you want something a little nicer and can afford it, the Caribbean is a great place for kids.

 

[Mnementh]

I just want to throw out a small warning that while the pirate rooms at the CBR are nice, they're at or near the far end of the property, a good walk away from most of the important things at the resort.

 

[mickeynut1]

I started pricing out the options tonight. I would love to admit that I'd be happy staying in a value, but I'm sort of a self-proclaimed hotel snob. As soon as I saw it was 2 doubles at the values, the red flags went up. Thank you Mickeynut1...I think I may look into CBR. My boys would love those Pirate rooms! You mentioned the rates usually drop in mid-July, do they usually go even cheaper in August?

I forgot to mention that CBR is the only mod that still has double beds (the others have queens). We really did love CBR and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again as the double beds don't bother us, but they are sometimes a deal breaker for some people and since you mention that was a turn off for you with values, I wanted to mention it. The moderate rooms are quite a bit larger than the values and if you can get past the double beds, CBR is a great resort. With that said, I have read a lot of great things about POR. As far as the rates, when they drop in mid July, they usually continue through September, going up slightly the beginning of October. HTH .

 

[AntFarm]

I was also going to bring up the point about CBR having double beds. Have you considered Wilderness Lodge or Port Orleans Riverside? POR has rooms with two queen beds and a murphy bed so that gives you options if your two boys are at the age where they don't want to sleep in same bed. Some rooms over at WL have a queen bed and bunk beds.

 

[karenklo]

We just did a split stay. We have also stayed and loved the AKL. This time we were meeting family so we met up at the POFQ. Our sons loved it! Loved the pool and the whole resort area. I have to say it was great!

 

[jperrot1]

Don't exclude Coronado Springs Resort. It has a great food center, great pool, very nice atmosphere (the whole resort sounds water), water craft can be rented, and there is a fitness center. Rooms were redone 4 years ago.

 

[TravelinSouth]

I think all of you have convinced us to go moderate. I just think it's a better fit for my family. Thanks for letting me know about the double beds at CBR. I started looking at Port Orleans. Would you recommend French Quarter or Riverside?

I don't know much about Coronado Springs. Isn't that the one that's more business focused?

 

[juliebug1997]

I think all of you have convinced us to go moderate. I just think it's a better fit for my family. Thanks for letting me know about the double beds at CBR. I started looking at Port Orleans. Would you recommend French Quarter or Riverside?

I don't know much about Coronado Springs. Isn't that the one that's more business focused?

Yes, Coronado Springs has a convention area attached to it or near it. It was nice and we had a nice time there, but we were put all the way at the back of the resort and found the walk to use the resort mugs just too long.

We have stayed at POR three times, twice for a week/8 days stays. We love it because it's a very nice moderate, the food court is good and we love the shop. We've been placed relatively close to the main building .

 

[kvdisney]

My family of 4 took our 1st trip to Disney in 2008. We swore (after our amazing trip), we would go back in 1-2 years. But...life happened and here it is 2013 and we're just planning our return trip. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge last time and LOVED it. Our budget is a bit tighter now. We're looking at moderates and value resorts. Our boys will be 8 & 10 when we go next year. What's your recommendation and WHY?

If we have to go in the summer (after July 1), when is the best time to go?[/QUOTE

Yeah! Love trip planning!

We are moderate fans by way of prefering more trips and longer based on our budget than going Deluxe. Our two favorites: PFQ and CSR

PFQ is the number one choice for us - it compact (less walking which sounds odd for Disney but with a bad knee...makes a difference), boat to downtown, queen beds, love it at night and never seems overwhelming or packed.

CSR = great theme, nicely layed out (big), the quiet pools are awesome along with the theme pool (which by the way my kids say rocks). We had a great time at this resort two.

I was not a fan of summer trips until three years ago - we go end of August and love it now. Yes...it's hot. And it rains - but crowds are totally manageable and we love to swim anyways!

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Aliceacc]

I started pricing out the options tonight. I would love to admit that I'd be happy staying in a value, but I'm sort of a self-proclaimed hotel snob. As soon as I saw it was 2 doubles at the values, the red flags went up. Thank you Mickeynut1...I think I may look into CBR. My boys would love those Pirate rooms! You mentioned the rates usually drop in mid-July, do they usually go even cheaper in August?

Take a look at the links here: http://www.mousesavers.com/2014-disney-world-resort-room-rates-season-dates/

You're looking for "Value 2" season. It flucuates a bit from one resort to the next. We usually hit the first week of August, and it's always Value 2 season at the Deluxes then.

For what it's worth, my brother in law loves CBR, and could afford Deluxe if he chose to.

Also, friends with 2 boys loved POR. The boys just ate up the atmosphere... it might be worth looking at.

 

[pamkat1820]

Coming from another hotel snob( and I wear my crown well). Our first stay was at AKL. Then we stayed at POR which was a very pretty resort. But very large in size. We missed the extras at AKl the biggest was the balcony.

I would say if budget is an issue stick with a mod over a value. CSR is very close to a deluxe feel. The poolis great, they have a great slide. I doable pinch penny and go with WL

 

[JacknDawn4ever]

I think all of you have convinced us to go moderate. I just think it's a better fit for my family. Thanks for letting me know about the double beds at CBR. I started looking at Port Orleans. Would you recommend French Quarter or Riverside?

I don't know much about Coronado Springs. Isn't that the one that's more business focused?

We are planning our second trip for next March and will be staying at POR again. We fell in love with the POR for the following reasons:

Peaceful, calm scenery (good for coming back to after a long day in the parks)
Compact resorts (POR & POFQ)
Can share pools at sister resort POFQ (Your boys will love the pools)
Boat to DTD
Fishing Hole on Ole' Man Island
Horse drawn carriage rides
Movies on the lawn at night
Queen beds in most rooms
Good food court at POR (Have heard low reviews of POFQ food court - we did not eat there)
Bus transportation is efficient

I think your family would love staying at POR, but I can be a little biased since I truly enjoy it as a resort. Have fun planning!!

Check out this site http://www.portorleans.org/ - it will provide you with alot of information about the PO resorts.

 

[Desnik]

My vote would be for POFQ. We have stayed at all different levels of resorts at Disney & are DVC members.

I would choose POFQ because it's a lovely resort, well themed, great food court, not too big or spread out, was newly renovated, has queen beds, boat to DtD, & access to POR & their pools & food.

We hated CSR when we stayed there, and we haven't stayed at CBR, yet! I'm waiting for them to renovate their rooms!

I know you are on a budget & didn't mention this as an option, but I think the perfect room for your family would be a Cars suite at AoA!! The theming is fantastic, the resort is fantastic too! Also it would give you & DH your own room & has 2 bathrooms! Just a thought ;-)

 

[Sue M]

We've stayed at both, and enjoy both Por & POFQ, but our fav is POR, mansion section. For reasons mentioned in past post. Especially in summer I appreciate having the quiet pool option.
Rooms have recently been refurbed. Queen beds. Both Acadian House & Magnolia Terrace are good locations.

Love the lush landscaping of POR.

 

[Desnik]

Oh, I forgot to mention what time of year you should go! End of Aug if you have to go in the summer. It will be less expensive and lower crowds.