Aug 2005 trip w/5

[duck_adoo]

Hi all,
Just starting to plan our Aug 05 trip. This will be our first trip w/newest addition. She'll be 2 when we go. I've always wanted to stay @Poly concerige, but finances might be tough. So I'm not sure. With 5 in a room, I believe our choices are limited to Poly & POFQ. I think we'll be too tight if we do an All Star. I'm thinking if I go with POFQ, I'd end up spending the difference on snacks anyway so I should just go w/Poly conceirge & be closer to MK? Our older dd's will be 9 this summer. MK is where I think we'll be spending most of our time, and we'll still be doing the afternoon naps for the baby. I really want to go this summer, if I wait until next summer we'll end up paying adult tix for older dd's and a jr tix for the baby. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Duck

 

[jjohnson]

besides Poly for 5 there's AKL, WL, GF, BC, YC, CONT

There's already a AAA rate out for 2005 if your a member. I was quoted $349 for the Poly GV CONC.

 

[rockahulagirl]

And don't forget the FW cabins. We thought they were great when our youngest needed some down time and a place to eat a few,more simple meals.

 

[tar heel]

With your youngest only being 2, you can stay at any resort even the All-Stars.

I'm sure the poly concierge would be fun, but you can't look at that as a money saving device. There's no way you would spend the difference between a moderate and poly concierge on snacks. Also, even if you stay there, you'll probably still want some of the other snacks in the parks.

 

[lmhall2000]

Congrats on planning your vacation....that's half the fun!

We are a family of five and you actually can stay in any resort as long as your daughter can sleep in a port-a-crib...We stayed at AKL when our youngest was 26 months...I think it's under 3 that can stay in the portacrib. But alot depends on your child and their size...mine was only 22 pounds...a little thing.

Here's the scoop on those that fit five...by least exp. to most....

Port Orleans (2 beds + trundle bed)
Contemporary (2 beds + Daybed...Tower is more $$$ but Garden wings are less)
Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn (same layout as CR just a bit smaller rooms)
Polynesian (larger rooms and a bit more than BC, YC, BWI, CR)
Grand Floridian (great monorail location! )
AKL & WL (their rooms specifically for 5 in a room are junior suites...some have a queen, bunkbeds and day bed or two queens and daybed....but the junior suites are actually more expensive than GF or the rest)

All that said....AKL & WL will be the cheapest Deluxe resorts if you go with a standard room with a portacrib which they provide. But, there is alot to be said for staying on the monorail with little ones...it's easy for one parent to jot back to the room for nap while the other parent stays at the parks with the older kids and maximizes ride time. Then you can easily meet back up. We have stayed at OKW, AK and Poly and decided monorail is it while our kids are under 9...

And I agree about taking advantage of the under 9...our oldest turns 10 in May so we're making our last trip in January. I would rather spend my money on accomodations than Concierge (I know this is not common around here) we make a stop at a grocery store (most limo services provide 1 free stop)....and spend about $50 on snacks (cheese straws, crackers, apples, bananas, juices, milk) and I think most the resorts are going to a free refrigerator in your room without a request. We have a medical need so we usually have one.

Have fun planning....I'd say Poly and save the money to have some great character meals with the kids.

Tara