Advice on best resort

[Hollytigs]

I'm looking for general advice on where to stay. I have been to WDW 4 times, but never stayed on site before. We (me, DH, DD-6yrs and DD-1yr) are hoping to come next year and are saving madly! We want to stay moderate or deluxe, and did fancy the AKL, but as we will probably spend more time at MK, and will be popping back to the hotel for naps, maybe it would be better to be near that park?
I expect we will do half day at a park, back to hotel for rest, then late afternoon at a water park or shopping or hotel pool. My oldest DD has some disabilities and walking long, long distances will be difficult for her (she can probably manage a couple of hours a day of walking). Any advice greatfully received.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

If MK is going to be your main focus, I would definitely look at the Monorail resorts or WL. My personal picks would be the Poly or WL. WL has MK access via boat. Poly obviously you are just hopping on the monorail (and they have the cool volcano pool). I don't really think you can go wrong at any of the monorail resorts, it just depends on what your personal taste is and what you find appealing. GF is also nice, but IMO not really a child themed resort. CR is cool too, but I think you have to like the cool contemporary feel. They all have perks to them...I'm sure you'll be happy no matter what you choose.

 

[Minnie824]

I vote for the Grand Floridian! Location is great, and its a beautiful resort. Also, regarding the walking...this gets some controversy on the boards, but think about renting a double stroller for your DDs when you go...ours are ages 6.5 and 4, and we still plan on getting a double stroller. Its a lot of walking for anyone. Also, if you plan to spend a lot of time at the pool, the Beach or Yacht Club would be a great choice as well.

 

[Aliceacc]

I've been a research fiend, here's my take on the MK resorts:

Contemporary: you can WALK a cranky child home from the Magic Kingdom, regardless of the wait for the monorail. As the commercials say...."priceless!"
Also, more affordable than either of the other 2 monorail resorts. And the idea that the monorail goes through the resort THRILLED my son; he was disappointed when we switched to the Poly after getting a PIN code.

Poly: I can't WAIT to get there!!(27 more days ) That lush tropical theming just spells vacation to me. And the Volcano Pool is something that my kids will love! You can see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom from the beach. (We're from Long Island, so a sandy beach isn't an amazing draw for us, but might be for you.)

Grand Floridian. The most expensive of the choices. That said, my sister leaves for the GF on Saturday, so I've been helping her research. It's supposed to be gorgeous and top of the line.

Wilderness Lodge: The Assistant Principal at my school took his kids there last year and RAVED about it. It wasn't an option for my family of 5, but based on Ken's recommendations I would give it serious consideration too.

 

[SGMCO]

It's you Budget VS Convenience when it comes to
choosing a MOD or a Deluxe Resort.
If you have a car you won't have any problems with
where you will stay but if you will be useing WDW busses
it may take more time to get back to your Resort for naps.

If you stay at a Deluxe on the Monorail you will have
easy and fast way to get to MK and Epcot but will still
have to take a Bus to DHS and AK.
A Deluxe resort will cost much more than a MOD so
if your using the Resort just for sleeping, I would consider
the cost factor. You can compare the price difference
between Deluxe and MODs online at Disney.com.

We have only stayed at MOD level Resorts because of our
budget and have not been disappointed.
If you decide to stay at a MOD resort, take a look
at POFQ--it is the smallest sized MOD, which has a
Unique Sea Serpent Pool w/ King Tritan riding him (your
6 year old would love it). POFQ has beautiful landscaping
and is next to a River where Guest can catch a Boat to DTD
(this is a fun ride). The MOD resorts are very peaceful and relaxing
(nice to come back to after a long day at the Parks).

We would love to stay at a Deluxe but since our budget won't
allow us to, I would rather be able to go to WDW more often
so we enjoy eating at the different Restaurants located
at the Deluxe Resorts and looking around the public areas (mini tour).
We really enjoy eating Breakfast at "O'Hanas" which is located at
"The Poly" It is a Character breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto.

 

[stepdisney]

I'm thinking that if you admire AKL but want to be closer to MK, you may love the WL. It is close to the MK and has beautiful architecture and theming as does AKL. The two resorts had the same builder. We stayed at WL last year and loved it. (We are staying AKL this year.) WL is very close to MK (5 minute bus ride, very nice boat ride). The bus to MK was never full because of the choice of transportation. Also nice is the boat to CR for Chef Mickey or Cali Grill. You can also take the monorail from CR to Poly or GF for dinner. The boat also goes to Fort Wilderness if you plan on going to the Chip & Dale camp fire, horseback riding, petting zoo or HDDR dinner show. The cost is considerably less than both Poly & GF and a little less than CR. They also have bunk beds for the children.

 

[Hollytigs]

Thanks for all the comments - it all sounds like excellent advice, but I get the impression that the general feeling is that we won't be disappointed whatever we choose. As for the budget that depends on when we decide to go as at my daughters school you get fined if you go on vacation during term time (but the fine is less than paying the extra to travel during school holidays) so if we travel at the peak season (i.e. Easter) then we will probably have to stick to a moderate.

 

[GoofyFairie]

As a mom w/ 2 younger children who LOVE the MK I'd stay at the WL. We did a different park every morning, back to the room for lunch and rest, then the rest of the day at MK. The boat ride is very soothing to us after a very stimulating day at the parks. It has a fun pool, a playground structure, and lots of wildlife. Never had a problem w/ transportation. It is the only place my family wants to stay.

 

[disneygroomsmom]

I would go for any of the monorail resorts (GF, Poly or Contemp). They all have their good points. The kids will love the monorail and you will probably spend a lot of time at the MK. Have fun!

 

[SGMCO]

Thanks for all the comments - it all sounds like excellent advice, but I get the impression that the general feeling is that we won't be disappointed whatever we choose. As for the budget that depends on when we decide to go as at my daughters school you get fined if you go on vacation during term time (but the fine is less than paying the extra to travel during school holidays) so if we travel at the peak season (i.e. Easter) then we will probably have to stick to a moderate.

then check out POFQ-it's small--has a fun theme--cost per night
is reasonable.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks for all the comments - it all sounds like excellent advice, but I get the impression that the general feeling is that we won't be disappointed whatever we choose. As for the budget that depends on when we decide to go as at my daughters school you get fined if you go on vacation during term time (but the fine is less than paying the extra to travel during school holidays) so if we travel at the peak season (i.e. Easter) then we will probably have to stick to a moderate.

Summer is VAlue SEason-- the lowest rates around. Sure, it's crowded, but the parks are open late.

We're both teachers, and pulling our kids out of school wouldn't be an option anyway. So I've never been to WDW (or almost anywhere else) except for summer.