can i get some resort advice?

[4boysrus]

I posted this on the resort board a few weeks ago, and didn't get any replies, so I figured I'd try here.
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We stayed at Pop this year, and we loved it. The kids have requested to go back there next year. This was our first trip, so we have nothing to compare.

We are a large family, my dh and i, and 4 boys (ages 10 mos to 7). we got to connecting rooms, and while we didn't have lots of space, it was enough especially since we weren't in the rooms much.

I'm just not sure which way I want to go for next year?

Right now, I'm trying to choose between Pop, ASMu Family Suite, and POR (with trundle bed). It'd kind of be nice to stay somewhere different. ASMu Family Suite would give us a little more of a "home" feel than just having beds to sit on. The main thing I'm concerned about here is the buses. With the bus stopping at all 3 All Star Resorts, are we ever going to get a seat? We were spoiled by Pop getting their own buses. I think POR would be a nice relaxing place to stay. My main concern here is all 6 of us being in one room. I know that we won't be in the room much, but when we are I don't want to be on top of each other. We wouldn't want to spend the extra money to get 2 connecting rooms at POR instead of Pop, we'd rather spend it on souveniers and stuff.

So, with the info I've just provided, what would you do?
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[dfarner]

I would probably go for a suite at ASMu. I doubt they'll let you get a room at POR with 6, even with the trundle bed because that is only a bed for a child under 6 or 7. With 2 doubles and the trundle thats only 5 of you. If you put your smallest in a crib you guys will be packed.

 

[txbradybunch]

A couple of years ago we stayed at Old Key West Resort in a 2 bedroom. It was spacious, beautiful, great for a large family group! We didn't have any problems with transportation to and from the resorts. (We went in June.)

Last year we stayed at All Star Sports - also in June. It was so entirely disappointing. It was absolutely the motel 6 of Disney. The lobby, restaurant, gift shop, and pool were great - and that was where the great ended. The rooms were small and not in fabulous shape. We didn't even have a coffee maker in our room - even motel 6 has those! I felt as if we spent an awful lot of money for the place to be so trashy. In addition, the transportation left a lot to be desired. I cannot tell you how often we spent a half hour or more out in the sun sweating our little booties off waiting for a bus - which then went through all of the rest of the All Star resorts before going to the parks. The buses were never not packed to standing room only, and if we left a park at closing time with a crowd we waited for a second or third bus.

I'll put it this way - my husband and I have 7 children (his, hers, & ours) ranging in age from 16 to 4 so we know that we will be spending a whole bunch more of our money at WDW. We invested in DVC on that trip because I will never stay at anyplace other than a DVC resort again.

Just my humble opinion - my ex used to call me an uppity (explitive) - maybe I am. I just know that now that I own DVC I can enjoy Disney year after year with our kids and then with our grandkids and never stay at Disney's motel 6 wanna-be again!

If you are looking for an affordable way to stay at a DVC resort - go the the DVC forums and look at the renting section. You can rent reservations or points from a DVC member for $9-$12 per point. It is a transaction that involves some trust - but you can take steps to protect yourself.

Good luck planning your trip!

 

[Perditamarie]

I'd go for the ASmu suite...everybody gets their own bed, you have 2 baths and a kitchenette, which definately comes in handy w/kids! You do have to share buses, but usually there are a ton at the All Stars. If that is a prob, go back to the Pop, which your family enjoyed. I think POR would just be too cramped.

You could also check into DVC...those are great rooms! Happy planning!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I'd go for the ASMu suite as well, I think. Rooms at the mods are not that much bigger than at the values and you'd get that extra bathroom with the suite.

I guess I'm just a motel 6 kinda gal.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think I would look into both the All Star Suite and Old Key West for photos & prices and then choose. I have stayed at the All Star (not a suite) and yes, the busses were crowded.

I have stayed at POR and love it but I think you guys would be too jammed in there to sleep comfortably...I used a cot for DS last year, there were only 4 of us and we were

We stayed at OKW 1 bedroom years ago with another family who had a baby & the place was HUGE, beautiful & very peaceful. THere was 1 king bed and 1 queen sofa with pleanty of room for an airbed or 2. Also, they have a full kitchen & full laundry facilities in your own room. In fact, DH has been asking about it so we might head back there next year. Renting points is the cheapest way to go with rentals averaging about $10/point. Just check out the board to see how many points you'll need for the week you want to go and look into buying the necessary # of points. Again, it requires some trust but you'll find lots of help on the DVC board.

 

[beth_cam]

buses don't always stop at all 3 and when they do I think all star music is first if that helps. POR will be less space than 2 rooms or a suite at a value. Remember that connecting is not guarenteed no matter what they tell you. If you enjoyed it well enough at pop I dont think you will see that much difference between that and all stars. I'd probably stay with what you enjoyed rather than cramming in to an even smaller space.

When are you going? I did some pricing out of things the other day and found that in July a cabin at ft. wilderness with an aaa discount is cheaper than the family suite at asmu.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We have stayed from value to deluxe and we really love POP. The bus service is so much better than all-stars (we have stayed at both), and the food court and pools we liked better as well. I would like having two differnt rooms with such young chidren and I can not image a second bath with such young ones being too much of an issue. You have to over see the baths anyway. No money issues, I would pick a MK deluxe resort but since money matter for most of us I vote POP.

 

[Princess Roo]

I would think the main problem with POR would be not enough room to put your stuff. With a Pack&Play and the trundle out, there is virtually no floor space remaining!
We stayed at ASMo in December (not very crowded). We had problems with
drunk neighbors partying on the balcony but that could have happened at POP or POR, too. If you are only in the room to sleep, I think I'd rather have adjoining rooms for the more comfortable beds, but if you hang out in the room, the suite as ASMu would be nice.
We found the buses to be very similar - occasionally crowded, occasionally a long wait, but overall pretty good - at POR (July) and ASMo (Dec).

 

[PittypatBR]

Based on your information, I would go for the suite. The bus service isn't much worse at the All-Stars than anywhere else. When we stayed at Coronado the bus made three stops around the resort, which took quite a while in itself! I think the boys will like the All-Stars just as well as Pop, and you will love the refrigerator/microwave and the extra space. And with four kids, two bathrooms are pretty essential to my way of thinking! And it is even possible that your two rooms elsewhere wouldn't be connecting, which would be the pits. The suite eliminates worrying about that possibility!

 

[SnowWitch]

I am another one who will suggest an option you did not mention.... DVC rental. You would need a two bedroom villa, using OKW point system and guessing your traveling in the summer it would cost 27 points per night if you went during the first few weeks of June. Most DVC'ers rent for $10 per point. If you could go during slow season for DVC early Dec its only 22 points per night.

You cannot compare DVC with an All Star suite. Check out the pics on the dvc pages on this site.

 

[4boysrus]

we will be going 2/8-2/16.

thanks for all the info!