back to square 1 with resort decisions (long)

[Marla Hellwig]

When I am booking a trip I first look at the bedding that is offered at the hotel/resort I am interested in. Both my daugher and I are tall and we just don't sleep well or sometimes hang over in double beds, so we have to go with 2 queen beds or 1 king and share it.

I know that elimates some places for us, but sleep is important to both of us.

 

[Davefrompgh]

I would absolutely recommend a Value Resort. We have stayed at ASMo and are splitting our next stay at Pop and Poly. However, your energetic 4 yo is going to be sooo pooped out (excuse the expression) from the park and pools, I really do not think space is going to be an issue. The rooms are smaller but you will be spending most of your time out of it....there are so many great things just outside your door by staying onsite, I do not think the room size will be that big of a deal.....JMO ~ Sue

 

[teentoddlermom]

I think you should go with a moderate. The rooms have 2 double beds, if you want 2 queens and a daybed you have to go with a deluxe. I've stayed in all three categories at Disney Resorts. The good thing about the moderates and values for young families is the convenience of a food court which they have. At the Coronado Springs Resort, the Pepper Market food court is terrific. I've also read about lots of positive things about the Port Orleans Resort. I think the moderates are a little less crazy than the values, and have slightly bigger rooms. My sister and her young family just recently stayed at the Swan and were not happy. They were originally booked at Caribbean Beach Resort, and decided to change to get closer to Epcot. They did not like that they could not use their resort ID to charge at the parks and restaurant, and they felt no "Disney Magic" there. They have been to Disney World a number of times. They also said they felt there was really no convenient place there for a quick bite, like you could get at a value or moderate. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Hotel must be clean, and spacious. (fast food is typical for us so that's not a concern). Space is necessary only because we have a very energetic DS4 who we're concerned that the Value rooms may be too small for. We've thought about staying off site because the rooms are bigger and we could actually afford a suite offsite but because this is the first trip, want to experience the Disney magic. Plus, we don't know how much time we'll actually spend at the parks. Going in October so hoping the weather won't be too hot. I'm almost open to the value only because I'm hearing so many good things about it. But for 6 nights can we really stand to be on top of each other in a small value size room? Any suggestions!?!?!?!

We took our first two trips to WDW and stayed off property. The third trip I was on business and we stayed onsite for the first time... We will NEVER stay offsite again.

That first time onsite we stayed at Caribbean Beach and loved every minute of our trip. It was in Ocrober and the weather was hot, the pools were open, and the parks were very managable. The room at the resort was plenty large enough for our family of four at the time, and we had plenty of things to keep us busy when we weren't at the park.

We have since stayed at all the moderates, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Beach Club (Villas) and have enjoyed every trip. I would think that you and your family would be fine in any of the moderates - we have never felt too cramped in them. I believe the rooms are larger at Caribbean Beach than the others, but we actually prefer Coronado Springs the best because we really like their food court, Pepper Market.

We looked at the rooms at the value resorts on one of our trips and decided there was no way they were large enough for us not to get on each other's nerves in those rooms, so we have never stayed at them.

Hope this helps a bit.

AreWeThereYet

 

[BostonRob]

My sister and her young family just recently stayed at the Swan and were not happy. They were originally booked at Caribbean Beach Resort, and decided to change to get closer to Epcot. They did not like that they could not use their resort ID to charge at the parks and restaurant, and they felt no "Disney Magic" there. They have been to Disney World a number of times. They also said they felt there was really no convenient place there for a quick bite, like you could get at a value or moderate. Good luck and have a great time!

I've never understood the compliant about not being able to use your resort ID to charge. If you want to charge things, bring a credit card. Most credit cards give you some sort of bonus rewards - resort ID's do not. Disney Magic? I say there is as much magic as you make - no hotel room will give you magic.

The complaint about there being no convieniant place to eat is somewhat legitimate. I do remember there being one counter service type place, but I think it was small and didn't seem to have a large selection of great hours. But things may have changed. Nevertheless, if fast food is a priority, the Swan or Dolphin may not be the best choice. But for all other purposes, they are an excellent choice.

 

[DisneyGuy]

I've stayed at the Swan 3 times and it is EXTREMELY nice - the rooms are spacious as well. You usually can get good rates there. Comparing it to a Disney hotel - to me, they are pretty much the same (deluxe category) they have the same perks and advantages as official "Disney" hotels except for a few minor things. Transportation to/from parks is wonderful - they are Epcot resorts so you can walk right to Epcot and MGM (or take a boat) - not the dreaded bus! (I preffer the boads/walking - especially after a late night parade or show at park closing)...you can get back to your hotel FASTER by walking . Now, since it IS your first Disney trip, I would recommend TRYING to stay in a Deluxe resort owned by Disney just to experience a DISNEY hotel - but if you can't - skip the moderates and go for the Swan/Dolphin - you'll preffer the rooms more *I do*. The extra "Disney magic" that you'll lose - you'll make up for with a nicer room.

That's just my opinion.