Can't decide on hotel...

[PlutosBone17]

I need help!

Two adults traveling with a 4 and 2 year old. 6 nights in January, so pools are not as important (Beach Club would have been easy decision if we knew weather would permit high pool usage). We do at least one character meal per day. Will spend 2 of 5 days at MK. Wife wants to be able to feel relaxed instead of typical Disney running around all day trying to make it to dining reservations and hitting parks by the time we have fast passes.

Option 1
Port Orleans French Quarter
Woods/Garden View
No Park Hoppers
$1,950
- Love this property, don't love the buses.

Option 2
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Standard View
No Park Hoppers
$2,650
- Never been to this resort but the kids love animals and the local zoo, concerned about long bus rides with young kids falling asleep + lugging stroller around.

Option 3
Polynesian
Standard View
Park Hoppers
$3,200
- Never stayed here but love the property. Would be hoping construction is over. Very convenient park access.

Option 4
Beach Club
Standard View
Park Hoppers
$2,750
Never stayed here but the kids would love the pool in warmer weather. So many food options close by. Walking to Epcot is great but kids aren't in the Epcot demographic. Is HS even worth going to if we went last year?

If money was no object I would certainly go 3, 2, 4, 1. All are within budget but I need to justify paying extra.

 

[tinkerbull91]

I absolutely agree with your listing. I like AKL better than the polynesian, but the park hoppers are a must for our family. certain parks like epcot or hollywood just don't take all day for us. it's nice to go for part of the day and then take the kids back to the hotel mid afternoon and go somewhere else at night. Plus they will love riding the monorail! I say polynesian with the park hoppers

 

[TeamSy]

I would still pick BC... or if your wife wants quiet, YC. Same pool complex but a much more relaxing/calm lobby. It's a great area and while Jan is definitely hit or miss, it could still be HIT, and in that case, that pool complex . Your wife can even relax by the pool and have a waiter/waitress bring drinks, food, etc. It's a great location with so many options for shopping, dining, games on the Boardwalk, etc.

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Considering the 2 days at MK, and requirement for character meal per day. Poly would be your best bet.

Poly has Ohana character breakfast (Mikey, Pluto, Lilo & Stitch)

Then, other reaorts within a Monorail ride:
1-Grand Floridian has 1900 Park Fare (Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, Lady Tremaine and her daughters)
2-Contemporary has Chef Mickey's (fab5)

Also a monorail ride away at Parks:
1-MK @ Crystal Palace with Pooh & Friends; Cinderellas Royal Table (princesses); Be Our Guest dinner (beast)
2-Epcot @ Garden Grill with Chip and Dale with Mickey/Pluto; Akershus with the Princesses
3-Via Epcot (from monorail station) you can cut through the park to access the international gateway to get Boardwalk resorts area. Cape May Cafe is at Beach club. Technically, you could also access Disney Junior Hollywood and Vine in DHS, but would put some significant milage on your walking engines.

Second best bet for your priorities would probably be beach club, because it's everything I mentioned above, but in reverse proximity. Drawback though is it would take longer to getting to your two MK days.

 

[Disneylover99]

I think there will be still construction going on at the Poly by the quiet pool in January. I would choose POFQ for the savings and because your kids are so young.

 

[librarymom2007]

With your kids ages I would go Poly. After that BC then AKL, then POFQ.

 

[PlutosBone17]

We could certainly get park hoppers for the AKL, I just don't think we would use them....maybe to swing into HS after Epcot.

I should have noted last year the kids were 3 and 1 and we were generally back to the hotel by 8 at the latest with the exception on the XMas party night.

My wife also requested that we try and sleep in the morning and no breakfast reservations before 830, preferably 9.

These two things will make park hopping from AKL and POFQ much more difficult!

I am leaning towards the Polynesian. In 5 days we usually would do 5 character meals, 3-5 additional sit down meals plus a few quick services to fill in the gaps. Maybe we could do more like 3 character meals, 4 sit downs and the rest quick service to justify the extra spending for the nicer hotel

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

... I would choose POFQ for the savings and because your kids are so young.

Exactly because of their kids' ages, I would double my recommendation for Poly (considering OP said it was within budget) for the mere ease of being able to easily get back to the resort with a stroller on 2 of their 6 days (33% of their trip)... 3 of their 6 if they end up going to Epcot (50%). If it were in my budget with my 2 year old needing mid-day naps at the resort, I'd take that over trying to mess with buses on all 6 of my days.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Depends on how much time you will spend at the resort. If mostly park time, I'd do POFQ for the savings. Personally, I prefer to save my money in winter if I can't enjoy the pools and the resort. I see why the Poly is tempting, but what will you give up to stay there? What would you do with the money you save if you go for the mod? Just things to think about.

 

[PlutosBone17]

I think there will be still construction going on at the Poly by the quiet pool in January. I would choose POFQ for the savings and because your kids are so young.

With your kids ages I would go Poly. After that BC then AKL, then POFQ.

Now I'm even more confused!

I wish there was an estimated date of completion at the Poly but I can understand the issue of giving a firm date. We were at Wilderness Lodge last year. The pool was supposed to be finished at least a week before we got there. It opened near the end but wasn't complete. There was a bunch of staging up on the courtyard side of the building which took away from that Wilderness Lodge feeling and the playground/beach area was closed. The worst part is we "upgraded" aka paid more money to get a courtyard view a couple weeks prior to the trip. The woman at the desk adjusted our rate to what we originally paid for the Woods view after I asked twice (the first time she only gave us around $150 but I found out on here that they were giving more to people who didn't even pay for the construction view). It was embarrassing even asking but we were so upset we spent thousands of dollars to be surprised by construction that was supposed to be done. We wouldn't have paid half price to stay there by choice.

That was a very long winded way to say construction really takes away from feeling like I'm on vacation! This is one of the reasons Poly isn't booked.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I would choose Poly, especially given the type of vacation you are looking for.

 

[PlutosBone17]

Depends on how much time you will spend at the resort. If mostly park time, I'd do POFQ for the savings. Personally, I prefer to save my money in winter if I can't enjoy the pools and the resort. I see why the Poly is tempting, but what will you give up to stay there? What would you do with the money you save if you go for the mod? Just things to think about.

The saved money would probably go to my wife and I going away for a weekend without the kids a few weeks after returning from Disney

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

The saved money would probably go to my wife and I going away for a weekend without the kids a few weeks after returning from Disney

Ooh. I think POFQ is calling your name...

 

[Disneylover99]

Now I'm even more confused!

I wish there was an estimated date of completion at the Poly but I can understand the issue of giving a firm date. We were at Wilderness Lodge last year. The pool was supposed to be finished at least a week before we got there. It opened near the end but wasn't complete. There was a bunch of staging up on the courtyard side of the building which took away from that Wilderness Lodge feeling and the playground/beach area was closed. The worst part is we "upgraded" aka paid more money to get a courtyard view a couple weeks prior to the trip. The woman at the desk adjusted our rate to what we originally paid for the Woods view after I asked twice (the first time she only gave us around $150 but I found out on here that they were giving more to people who didn't even pay for the construction view). It was embarrassing even asking but we were so upset we spent thousands of dollars to be surprised by construction that was supposed to be done. We wouldn't have paid half price to stay there by choice.

That was a very long winded way to say construction really takes away from feeling like I'm on vacation! This is one of the reasons Poly isn't booked.

I don't think the quiet pool at the Poly is supposed to be complete till some time in the spring. My kids always gravitate to the quiet pool, so for me, I wouldn't book it while construction is ongoing. But, as you said, it is January, so the pool is not as important.

I'd still take the savings at POFQ.

 

[PlutosBone17]

Just realized I posted the wrong rate for AKL. That price did include park hoppers.

Room only Poly - $2,100 (est.)
Room only AKL - $1,390
Room only POFQ - $946

In the grand scheme of things $1,154 to keep the wife happy is cheaper than divorce....but....what makes wife happier, fewer bus rides or weekend away without kids with the savings!

It honestly sounds like we can't go wrong.

 

[librarymom2007]

Now I'm even more confused!

I wish there was an estimated date of completion at the Poly but I can understand the issue of giving a firm date. We were at Wilderness Lodge last year. The pool was supposed to be finished at least a week before we got there. It opened near the end but wasn't complete. There was a bunch of staging up on the courtyard side of the building which took away from that Wilderness Lodge feeling and the playground/beach area was closed. The worst part is we "upgraded" aka paid more money to get a courtyard view a couple weeks prior to the trip. The woman at the desk adjusted our rate to what we originally paid for the Woods view after I asked twice (the first time she only gave us around $150 but I found out on here that they were giving more to people who didn't even pay for the construction view). It was embarrassing even asking but we were so upset we spent thousands of dollars to be surprised by construction that was supposed to be done. We wouldn't have paid half price to stay there by choice.

That was a very long winded way to say construction really takes away from feeling like I'm on vacation! This is one of the reasons Poly isn't booked.

If construction is a concern then take Poly out. But a pool IN January is not likely to be used IMO. I SUGGESTED Poly first because being on the monorail with little ones is the best.

 

[Babsy]

We could certainly get park hoppers for the AKL, I just don't think we would use them....maybe to swing into HS after Epcot.

I should have noted last year the kids were 3 and 1 and we were generally back to the hotel by 8 at the latest with the exception on the XMas party night.

My wife also requested that we try and sleep in the morning and no breakfast reservations before 830, preferably 9.

These two things will make park hopping from AKL and POFQ much more difficult!

I am leaning towards the Polynesian. In 5 days we usually would do 5 character meals, 3-5 additional sit down meals plus a few quick services to fill in the gaps. Maybe we could do more like 3 character meals, 4 sit downs and the rest quick service to justify the extra spending for the nicer hotel

The Poly is a great choice for location. For the reasons that you state, it is the resort that I would tend to favour. However, there is the construction....

Now I'm even more confused!

I wish there was an estimated date of completion at the Poly but I can understand the issue of giving a firm date. We were at Wilderness Lodge last year. The pool was supposed to be finished at least a week before we got there. It opened near the end but wasn't complete. There was a bunch of staging up on the courtyard side of the building which took away from that Wilderness Lodge feeling and the playground/beach area was closed. The worst part is we "upgraded" aka paid more money to get a courtyard view a couple weeks prior to the trip. The woman at the desk adjusted our rate to what we originally paid for the Woods view after I asked twice (the first time she only gave us around $150 but I found out on here that they were giving more to people who didn't even pay for the construction view). It was embarrassing even asking but we were so upset we spent thousands of dollars to be surprised by construction that was supposed to be done. We wouldn't have paid half price to stay there by choice.

That was a very long winded way to say construction really takes away from feeling like I'm on vacation! This is one of the reasons Poly isn't booked.

I agree! Construction REALLY has an impact on me when staying at a resort. I am happy for the people that do not mind construction, but I am simply not one of them. If you are paying money for theming and atmosphere, construction goes a long way to reducing the value of the resort, IMO.

Have you priced/considered another monorail resort? You still get the convenience of being on the monorail, but without the construction. It is what we have done for the past 7 visits and plan to do for our next two visits. I just switched from a Jan 2016 Poly reservation to another CR reservation, in large part due to the construction. (A good rate at a Tower CL room helped a lot, though!)
If a pool isn't important, the CR is an awesome place to stay with small children! being able to walk to the MK is wonderful. the easy transportation options to all other resorts is unique to the CR, the rooms a re large and comfortable and the views are magnificent. If staying in a garden wing room, the price is likely the best that you will find while staying on the monorail line. Finally, everything is under one roof! No going outside in all weather to get to/from your room. Very nice!

If the theme of the CR is an impediment to your staying here, the theming at the GF is simply lovely. The resort also is on the monorail, has great dining options and is well suited to families with young children. I highly recommend a stay at the GF (we are visiting the GF in Nov).


Of course, any WDW resort is a wonderful place to stay, but the monorail gives great convenience for people travelling with small children and/or planning on going to the MK frequently.

Good luck choosing!

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Another vote for POFQ. Save a bit of money (go on a trip with your wife) and enjoy the quiet, quaint resort along the river. The boat is an added bonus for DTD / Disney Springs. POFQ is our favourite resort. It's 'home' to us because we feel so comfortable there. When our DD's were younger, they loved the size of the pool / waterslide. Whatever you chose, it will be awesome because it's Disney. Enjoy your planning!

 

[Southernswthrt]

We stayed at Poly in Sept. The construction did not bother us; however, we did not have a room overlooking the quiet pool either. I fell in love with the resort. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, and it wouldn't even matter if I got a construction view room! The grounds are so beautiful. It is just a very relaxing place, but yet also bustling with activity at the GCH. You cannot beat the convenience with multiple transportation options. The rooms are very generous in size. Enjoy your trip - whatever you decide.

We're having the same problem trying to decide for our February trip between YC, Poly, CR, and POR !!! Big savings at POR, and only about $350 difference between the other three deluxes - what to do, what to do???????

 

[hammie59]

For me, I justify a lot of the higher cost of some deluxe resorts based on their location, i.e: monorail resorts and EPCOT resorts. So that automatically cancels out AKL knowing it's buses for every park. When my kids were as young as yours are now, I would have killed to stay on the monorail loop. That being said, Poly is my obvious choice with any of the EPCOT resorts my second. The Boardwalk area is pretty fun in the evening, even for kids. Port Orleans is my very favorite moderate, but again, with little ones no buses would be a dream.