3 little kids, 2 rms at Pop or 1 at WL?

[mrsmagic]

I just can't decide! We are traveling the last week of January 2006. Myself, DH, DS 8, DS 6, and DD 2 plus my parents. My parents will have their own room, but I just don't know what would be better for the 5 of us; to have 2 connecting rooms at Pop or 1 at WL.

We haven't been to Disney in 10 years and have never been with kids. We think that both resorts look great for different reasons. In a perfect scenario we would get 2 rooms at WL, but that seems too expensive. Do we sacrifice space for convenience? I do wonder about trying to get the kids to sleep/nap all in one room, but is that not that big of a deal because they are so tired? I know that the parks close earlier that time of year, so will I be spending my evenings reading a book in the bathroom at WL? We will probably be at AK for a day, MGM for a day, and then at MK and Epcot for dinner the other 5 days. So, is the boat to MK really awesome (and REALLY more convenient than a bus)?

My parents will go with our recommendation (they are kind of stumped by this because the last time they were at WDW they only had to choose between the Poly and CR!) and I know that we will have a great time anywhere! We're very excited!

 

[Kimberle]

I love love love WL. But for your family, I think 2 rooms at Pop would probably be better. You'd have more room to spread out, plus 2 bathrooms & TV's.

 

[momxx5]

Is it possible to get an adjoining room with your parents?

I don't see how you will need 2 rooms at POP, because your little one doesn't count as a person in the room - so really you can get one room at either resort.

If you get connecting rooms w/parents, the adults can sit up in one room a bit later that the kids and then you and your DH join the children when you to sleep.

 

[molly213]

We have stayed at the moderates and AKL in one room. Last year the four of us - DH, DS 17 and DS 15 - made the switch back to 2 rooms at POP. WE loved it! Two bathrooms! Two TV's! Two dressers to unpack everything. AKL is nice, but the extra room at POP is better. We won't ever go back to one room.

 

[mrsmagic]

Replying to Momxx5 (I'm still trying to figure out the quote thing!)

Adjoining rooms would be perfect, and my parents already suggested that we do this and then my DH and I could go out at night, and they would "babysit" while the kids are sleeping. When I called reservations, they said that they can't guarantee that they can give you adjoining rooms, so I'm don't know if I should risk it.

 

[southjerseymom]

My vote would be for the WL. Your kids will love the theming. We stayed there in May - but DH and I agree we would love to stay there in the colder months because of the fireplaces and "woods" feel. We had a room with a bunk bed and had a port a crib for my DD(then 5mo). The room isn't as big as the ones at the CR or Poly - but it should fit your family. Depending on the weather there is a great balcony to sit on - or there are small cozy sitting areas with fireplaces on each floor. There is a nice lounge for an adult beverages, Artists Point is awesome and your kids will love Whispering Canyon. WL really is a nice resort. The boat ride to MK was awesome - very relaxing and always running. From there you have easy access to the monorail - or you can take a boat to CR (gotta do Chef Mickey's) or Fort Wilderness. With a AAA rate standard view - you may make out better than two rooms at the POP. I've never stayed at POP - but I hear it is nice - so I'm sure you will be happy whatever you decide! Have a great time.

WL May 2003
Poly Nov 2004
BC May 2005
4 Day Wonder Feb 2006 (Yee Ha!)

 

[momxx5]

I meant to say "connecting rooms". Adjoining rooms just means that they are beside each other....connecting means that there is a door between them.

I know POP has more connecting rooms than any other resort. I hate that they cannot guarantee connecting rooms. It is hard to plan that way.

 

[HaleyB]

Is it possible to get an adjoining room with your parents?

I don't see how you will need 2 rooms at POP, because your little one doesn't count as a person in the room - so really you can get one room at either resort.

If you get connecting rooms w/parents, the adults can sit up in one room a bit later that the kids and then you and your DH join the children when you to sleep.

I am in a hurry so I didn't read to the bottom, so sorry if this is repeat info. I thought it was important though: Yes you can get either adjoining or connecting rooms at the Pop. They are NOT the same thing. Adjoining means next to or near to each other to the room assigner- Connecting means has an inside door between them. I think you want connecting, make sure it is noted on your ressies as such.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I would not do 2 rooms for that reason, they will not guarantee a joining room and we have small kids too!! I would go WL. I personally am doing CR for more sq footage and close proximity to MK and great dining choices like Chef Mickeys!!! Remember there are no sit downs at POP so if you wanted to do dinner sit down at a resort that means traveling...I know the 2 tv thing sounds GREAT and tempting but I am not about to risk not being connected!! I also did not want to take three small and tierd kids on a bus and wait in line and do all that walking with little ones which is why I went monrail resort, I hear pop is spread out and can be long distances to walk to places. I think WL looks absolutely amazing and I would stay there in a heart beat, I actually think about switching resorts every now and then and that is my top choice!! Good luck have fun

 

[Shelbelle6]

We stayed at WL in December of 1996 and we got a jr. suite. It was heavenly!! We were a party of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids) It had a room with 2 queen beds and another room with a queen sofa-bed! I would think that a suite at WL would probably be fairly comparable in price to 2 rooms at POP, but I don't know for sure. We also had 2 baths and 2 TV's.

 

[Karel]

I would stay at WL for the sheer fact that you will never be able to stay there again with three kids. Take advantage of it now. Even if you don't get connecting rooms, it would be nice if your parents were next door. Maybe you can take a baby monitor to use?

 

[dennisnlisab96]

We have done both. Even though WL is our favorite I would choose Pop. We have done the bunk beds and a port a crib and found it a little crowded. It is also nice to put the kids to be and still be able to watch TV and stuff. I could bang around getting ready for the nexy morning without haveing to worry I was going to wake the kids.

 

[indigoxtreme]

What about Fort Wilderness cabins, you have a bed room with a double bed and 2 bunk beds, in living room you have a murphy bed that is comfortable.

 

[dangler]

When we stayed at pop we had requested connected rooms. When we checked in I asked the CM if we were in connecting rooms and she said no, beside each other. I am sure I looked disappointed and just asked if we could have connecting rooms and she checked (very quickly) and said no problem! Just like that we had them, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. We brought my mom and we just left the connecting door opened so the kids could go back and forth, it was great! I would recommend POP!