Best Moderate Hotel for a Large Family

[birdie1215]

I know your against renting DVC points but IMO that’s really the best option for your group. You want deluxe accommodations but at moderate prices and you want somewhere where 9 people can be together? They fit the bill. You could do 2 studios (if available) or a 2 bedroom.

I've done the DVC points rental in the past and loved it! The only reason we're not going that route is because a lot of those sites have a no refund policy. Since Covid is running rampant in Florida, my parents are hesitant to book something that doesn't guarantee a refund---Disney does. If these were normal circumstances we would 100% do DVC rental! We also don't necessarily want Deluxe accommodations for cheap---I'm just trying to do my due diligence and book the best possible resort for my family.

 

[birdie1215]

Your absolute first step. SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN APRIL 2022. Depending on the week, the pickings might be slim. For reference, I booked my Polynesian stay for April 2022 in March 2021. When I went to check availability for my mom, the Polynesian was sold out.

From there, figure out your needs/wants from a resort and your budget. There's no such thing as a bad resort, it's just that some resorts are better at meeting our needs/wants than others.

Since you're there for such a short time, I'd actually be inclined to stay value if you're going to be focused on the parks. If you're still set on a moderate, I'd probably go with POR or POFQ because they are pretty equidistant from everything by bus. Slightly closer to Epcot.

Thank you so much! The week we're going seems to have plenty of availability at the moment---it's just a matter of making a decision at this point!

 

[DJFan88]

I’d add it’s really about what you want to spend. But in reading, it looks like you’ve figured out the part of wanting 3 moderate rooms.
However, you said it was due to the larger space- but with 3 separate rooms, the value resorts should be fine for each individual party. They are also very Disney and have better bussing or skyliner access IMO.
We stayed at All Stars after many moderate and deluxe trips and actuallyreally liked it. I loved the walkability to the other 2 all stars for different food menus court. Pop would be the same with walking distance to AoA food court and you have skyliner.

I suggest going on some you tube videos of each and see what speaks to you.

Would the skyliner be cool? CBR or Pop. It doesn’t really makes sense to get 2 AoA suites as others have said.
Although we love POR I just don’t see how that offers anything extra to your group. If you could spring for CL tower rooms at CSR that would give you breakfast and a place to all hang out and have snacks and desserts later when you get back, plus light appetizers, maybe the adults want a drink to unwind….

 

[DisneyOma]

I highly recommend the 2-bedroom suites at Swan/Dolphin. We've booked them a few times and they typically price out around the cost of 1 standard room at a deluxe, monorail resort. The suites typically have 2 beds in one room, a king in another and a pull-out sofa in the living room plus 3 full bathrooms. They are deluxe resorts in the EP area and offer boat/walking/Skyliner access to DHS and walking/boat access to EP. They have a nice pool complex and some of the best restaurants on-property IMHO.

How do you figure Swan/Dolphin has Skyliner access to HS? Do you mean walking over to EPCOT to hop on there?

 

[Dsny4fun]

I absolutely love POFQ...3 rooms there would be great. I love how small the resort is so it's never a far walk to the bus stop or to food, love the theme of POFQ and the boat to DS is such a plus

 

[Eastern]

I love POFQ. So small and convenient.

 

[nolatravelgirl]

You really need 3 rooms so all these folks who are throwing out AoA as an option are crazy. Each group needs there own space. I am sure your husband would agree that he doesn't want to share a space with the others, even if you guys are all a close family. Alone time is important, as well as just having some breathing room. When you are sharing spaces with people beyond your immediate household it starts to make things awkward like getting dressed, sleeping habits, etc. I get that you "could' make it work but do you really want to be together 24/7? You will already be spending a lot of time together in the parks.

 

[jimmymc]

Caribbean Beach is amazing for the Skyliner access. Having a room right near the station will get you to Epcot and Studios faster than almost anywhere else. If you like spending time in these two parks then it's my top recommendation.

Both Port Orleans resorts have nice theming, access to all the pools at either resort, and good quick service food at the food courts. Yehaa Bob is also returning to PORS and he's a lot of fun. You will take busses everywhere except Disney Springs, so they're good if you want some resort and Springs days. POFQ is also the smallest moderate and easiest to walk around.

I've never stayed at Coronado, but it gets pretty good reviews for the rooms and pool, not as many for the food options.

 

[snikki]

I would have everyone book separate rooms at POR, or whatever moderate hours choose. One room for your parents and maybe sister could stay with them. One room for you and your husband. And one room for niece/nephew and parents. I also wouldn’t rent DVC points with that big of a group that MAY want to cancel due to covid concerns, unless I was ready to cover their costs if they cancelled or if they agreed to pay whether they go or not. Also, having separate spaces for relaxing and chill time away from each other is really needed on a vacation, especially a Disney vacation.

We’ve done POFQ, CBR and have CSR booked next. We like each one for different reasons. Right now we picked CSR since it’s a “deluxe lite” resort. The tower is gorgeous (we are staying in a regular room) with tons of dining options in the tower and in the regular resort. I’ve heard great things about Toledo, the lounges and Three Bridges which is along the water. The pool area looks so pretty. It has the longest pool slide on property. They have a margarita bar/stand. With that many adults in your group it may be a good choice for you guys.

 

[DizKids2]

Honestly, if you are booking 3 rooms anyways, you cannot go wrong with any of them. I haven’t stayed in POFQ in years, but have stayed at the others and they all have some good things. Maybe see what the if appeals to your group the most? Do they want Skyliner, or a small resort feel? That might help narrow it down.
CBR- has the Skyliner as well as access to the Riviera which gives additional food options
POFQ is smaller and easier to get around; however, sometimes busses are combined with POR, making it feel like a giant resort
Coronado gives you the choice of staying in an area reminiscent of the other Disney moderates, or selecting the tower to get more of the big hotel feel. I find that their busses tend to be the least crowded since it is a convention resort.
POR is probably my least favorite based on theming. We have only ever stayed in the Bayou section. I do love their magic cookie bar in the QS though!

the pools at CBR and CSR are my favorites.

 

[ChanaC]

What about booking a DVC room direct through Disney instead of renting points? You can still go ahead and book them as if it's a regular resort room. Maybe check out Old Key West or Saratoga Springs, they tend to be cheaper and have larger rooms. Plus they are considered moderate level when compared to the other Disney resorts. They have boat service to Disney Springs which might be nice if you are planning on spending some time over there.

And do you plan to spend much time at the resort or will you be in the parks the majority of the day? If you are mostly in the parks, and have to book three separate rooms, you might just want to look into a value resort. Sure, they aren't as fancy but the young kids will still love them. And at Pop Century or the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA you still have Skyliner access.

 

[VandVsmama]

I would have everyone book separate rooms at POR, or whatever moderate hours choose. One room for your parents and maybe sister could stay with them. One room for you and your husband. And one room for niece/nephew and parents. I also wouldn’t rent DVC points with that big of a group that MAY want to cancel due to covid concerns, unless I was ready to cover their costs if they cancelled or if they agreed to pay whether they go or not. Also, having separate spaces for relaxing and chill time away from each other is really needed on a vacation, especially a Disney vacation.

I totally agree!

 

[gatormom2tots]

What about booking a DVC room direct through Disney instead of renting points? You can still go ahead and book them as if it's a regular resort room. Maybe check out Old Key West or Saratoga Springs, they tend to be cheaper and have larger rooms. Plus they are considered moderate level when compared to the other Disney resorts. They have boat service to Disney Springs which might be nice if you are planning on spending some time over there.

He mentioned in the original post about the cost difference between mods and deluxe being the reason they were staying in the moderate category. Booking DVC resort as a cash reservation I believe is on par or even more expensive than deluxe.

I will just add to what others have said- that DVC is great, but there is a real issue with non-refundable policy when traveling with large groups and covid times. I do know that some rental companies do offer a partial refund if your pruchase their insurance. Its not 100%, but I believe it was like 85%. Perhaps factor in cost difference between that and the increased costs of multiples rooms in the moderate category.

But even then, I think your selection will also be limited for April at this point. SSR and OKW probably have some availability and are generally cheaper alternatives in the DVC world.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Book three rooms directly with Disney. You'll all be much happier. When you make the reservations, add "Traveling With Res #s" to see if all three rooms can be close to each other.