3 days at a moderate resort or 2 in a deluxe club-level before cruise

[krisinparis]

We feel a little guilty that our youngest has no memories of going to WDW so we are going to fly in a few days early before our next cruise. We aren't really huge WDW fans, so I think one day will truly be enough for us. Would you fly in 3 night early and stay at a moderate resort and do 2 days in the parks or fly in 2 nights early and just do 1 day at WDW and stay at a deluxe resort at the club level? It will come out about the same price-wise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We feel a little guilty that our youngest has no memories of going to WDW so we are going to fly in a few days early before our next cruise. We aren't really huge WDW fans, so I think one day will truly be enough for us. Would you fly in 3 night early and stay at a moderate resort and do 2 days in the parks or fly in 2 nights early and just do 1 day at WDW and stay at a deluxe resort at the club level? It will come out about the same price-wise.

Since you asked "Would you.....", personally, I'd go for the longer parks visit. Just allowing one day to visit a park just doesn't see worth it to me.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We feel a little guilty that our youngest has no memories of going to WDW so we are going to fly in a few days early before our next cruise. We aren't really huge WDW fans, so I think one day will truly be enough for us. Would you fly in 3 night early and stay at a moderate resort and do 2 days in the parks or fly in 2 nights early and just do 1 day at WDW and stay at a deluxe resort at the club level? It will come out about the same price-wise.

Surprise surprise, I completely agree with @PrincessShmoo. I would add we did Polynesian Club Level and unless you drink a lot, it's not worth the added expense. I'll further add that Rock-n-roller coaster is not fun after trying to drink your money's worth of Club Level extra expense the night before!

 

[dyson0715]

I would also do 3 days, however I think 1 day with a little one would be plenty. You could also do other things, DS or a pool day. I like the mini golf. I love WDW but with young kids it can be a lot.. No idea how old your youngest is, so if older than 5 i'd do 2 days.

 

[over50visits]

We feel a little guilty that our youngest has no memories of going to WDW so we are going to fly in a few days early before our next cruise. We aren't really huge WDW fans, so I think one day will truly be enough for us. Would you fly in 3 night early and stay at a moderate resort and do 2 days in the parks or fly in 2 nights early and just do 1 day at WDW and stay at a deluxe resort at the club level? It will come out about the same price-wise.

Rather than tell you what I'd personally do, I think your situation (you're not a big fan of WDW) kind of answers the question. The deluxe resorts are destinations; when we stay there we always are sad that we don't have more time to spend at the resort and relish what they have to offer. My advice is to spend a day at WDW (you probably know the four parks and which one or two interests you the most), and enjoy the luxury of the club level. They are expensive (overpriced in my opinion, but not in the opinion of the many who stay there), and the few times we have used them we have felt welcome, pampered, and really had our "batteries" recharged. It's an experience you won't forget. The parks will always be there if you catch the bug later. We have visited WDW may times (see my moniker), and a number of them have been delightful one day visits.

 

[krisinparis]

Thanks all! She is 8, so I think she's the perfect age for the parks. Her older brother gets motion sickness though, so can't really ride any of the rides-- I'm guessing he feels like Club Disney Chandler and his roller coaster experience!

 

[JW9DVC]

Three days. See if you can get a dvc room at one of the nicer resorts. I love using my points for grand Floridian, poly and the likes.

Stay longer to enjoy more time.

JW

 

[Tasmen]

I would say 2 days but I'm also deluxe resort biased. Staying at the poly and having access to the monorail is incredible. We've also loved our stay at akl. The animals off your balcony make for so much fun

 

[The Sasquatch]

Since you reference "parkS" and it's really about your child, spend some time and enjoy all of WDW . You will see next to nothing in a day and maybe that's lead to your impression of wdw. Never quite understood the "we aren't big fans" but to each their own.

 

[Quellman]

Two days at club lounge to enjoy the reosrt pool and stuff, and one day to enjoy magic kingdom. Sounds like a great trip for an 8 year old. The magic only lasts so long.

 

[JimGA]

The moderate resort and 2 days at the park, hands down.

 

[jcemom]

Since the parks portion of the trip is all about giving your 8 year old a new experience, I would say two park days for sure. You'll want one day at Magic Kingdom for sure, and I'd allow her to choose the other park.

 

[Pens Fan]

What about a compromise? Stay at the deluxe resort, but not on the club level. You would still get to enjoy the amenities, pools, etc of the deluxe resort but save some money by not going club level, and maybe squeeze out an extra night. Or, I don't know about your flight situation, but we always try to find the earliest flight possible into MCO. We are hooked on the Yacht Club and several times have flown in, ME'ed to the Yacht Club, dropped off our bags and been strolling through the back gate of Epcot by 10:00 or 11:00 (flying out of Pittsburgh - probably not possible if you're coming from further away). That way you really can get almost two days in the parks for a two night stay.

Just a thought.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Since you ask what I would do, I can tell you what I have done. This past September I arrived at WDW with friends 3 days prior to our cruise. We stayed 1 night at the Beach Club then 2 nights in a Poly bungalow. Friends went into parks. I did not. And it was FABULOUS! I slept in. I didn't worry with being anywhere at any set time. I literally relaxed and enjoyed myself. It was fantastic. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, too.

I do realize this is just me. I have no desire to be shoulder-to-shoulder with the mass of humanity that is the parks on a slow day let alone a busy one. I've done all the things, used all the tricks, spent all the trips doing that stuff and I'm done. I did take my kids and they remember it.

Do what you think your family will enjoy more. I would look at it like where most of my time will be spent. Will I be in parks? Or will I be lounging at my resort? Whichever will be majority would be where I'd lean my plans towards.

Good luck.

 

[llqool]

If you are going on a cruise, then you will have plenty of time on the ship to "chill out" and relax. I would also say to compromise -- stay at a deluxe for three days, not at club level. That will give you time to have a less frenetic pace in the parks and depending on which resort you choose, you might be able to also have some chill time as well. My favorite deluxes are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Beach Club, both of which have magnificent theming (in the case of BC, it's all about the pool and the location!) and then if you decide you'd rather not have completely frantic park days, then you have some place great to come back to.

I'm one of those weird people who either stay deluxe or value. I find the moderates are my least favorite, so if we're doing a luxurious type stay, we stay deluxe. If it's a park-intensive stay, we stay value (usually Pop)