Christmas Stay for Family of 5

[Luv_Tink]

We are planning a trip the week prior to Christmas in 2014 followed by Christmas week on the Fantasy. DH and I are just starting to toss around ideas of which resort to stay at while at WDW. We know rates won't come out until this summer.

We have 3 DDs who will be 12, 9 and 7 when we go. Only the 12 & 9 year old have been to WDW but they don't remember it at all since they were 3 years and 6 weeks old respectively on our last trip. Yes, this trip has been a long time coming. DH, oldest DD and I have done one Christmas season trip to WDW in the past and did a split stay at AKL and GF in 2004. We loved the decorations at both resorts. We have also stayed at WL and Poly in the past.

I'd love opinions on your favorite places to stay at WDW during the Christmas season. This will be our first Christmas away from home.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I did Boardwalk the day after christmas years ago. Loved. It. It has a very classic american feel which went beautifully with the decorations. It also has the gingerbread displays. And, it fits 5.

I have heard the poly does a hawaiian themed christmas too.

 

[Missytara]

If I had the money, I would stay at WL, hands down.

 

[2manydaves]

If I had the money, I would stay at WL, hands down.

This.

 

[mickeynut1]

We are planning a trip the week prior to Christmas in 2014 followed by Christmas week on the Fantasy. DH and I are just starting to toss around ideas of which resort to stay at while at WDW. We know rates won't come out until this summer.

We have 3 DDs who will be 12, 9 and 7 when we go. Only the 12 & 9 year old have been to WDW but they don't remember it at all since they were 3 years and 6 weeks old respectively on our last trip. Yes, this trip has been a long time coming. DH, oldest DD and I have done one Christmas season trip to WDW in the past and did a split stay at AKL and GF in 2004. We loved the decorations at both resorts. We have also stayed at WL and Poly in the past.

I'd love opinions on your favorite places to stay at WDW during the Christmas season. This will be our first Christmas away from home.

The Poly is our favorite resort overall, but the WL is our favorite (as far as decorations) during the holidays. With that said, if you choose the WL, you will have to get 2 rooms or the deluxe CL room as standard rooms only accommodate 4 + 1 under the age of 3 (the deluxe CL room accommodates 6). Another suggestion would be an Epcot resort. Our first December trip (2003) we stayed at the BC and that was very nice. The rooms are slightly larger than at the WL and will accommodate 5. The lobby is nicely decorated for the holidays and it's great being within walking distance to both Epcot and DHS. The boardwalk (which is just across the lake) is also fun for nightly entertainment. Good luck deciding, although I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter where you stay.

 

[jenjersnap]

If I had the money, I would stay at WL, hands down.

As long as OP realizes that families of 5 must stay in a deluxe room or a 2-bedroom in the villas.

We love the Epcot resorts at Christmas time. We haven't stayed at GF but we love to visit during the holidays because it is so lovely. I guess we like the more traditional Xmas decorations because we are meh on the Poly decorations though we like staying there, in general.

 

[Luv_Tink]

As long as OP realizes that families of 5 must stay in a deluxe room or a 2-bedroom in the villas.

I am fully aware of the room capacity issues due to our family size.

FWIW, we are torn on WL because it is most like our home here in Washington. On the one hand the Christmas decor will remind us of home and what we are familiar with during the holidays. However, when we have stayed there in the past I felt it was too much like home and not enough like we had gone on vacation. Does that make sense?

Regardless of where we stay, we will most likely dine at other resorts and tour them just to see the holiday decorations.

 

[pigletto]

We've rented points for a studio at Wilderness Lodge for a surprise week before Christmas trip this year. Since you know so far in advance what your dates are, why not wait until the 11 month window for DVC and rent a one bedroom through a service like Davids dvc?
I went with the Wilderness Lodge because we've yet to stay there and it looks so lovely during the holidays. However, if you've never stayed at the Epcot resorts I would recommend a two bedroom at the Boardwalk Villas for the five of you. The pictures of the lobby at Christmas are beautiful! And then you can walk to DHS for the Osbourne lights and to the World Showcase for meals and the candlelight processional. It's just so convenient.

Good Luck with your decision

 

[HM]

We've had Christmas at both YC and BWV previously. This Christmas is BC. I think the Epcot resorts are perfect at that time of year.

 

[spiceycat]

which is your favorite park - if Epcot then BC or BCV - if Studio (DHS) then BWI or BWV, if MK then BLT or CR.

now BLT or CR is not even close to the decorations at WL/VWL but walking to the MK is a big plus - especially during the Christmas week.

you can take a boat over to WL - to see the decorations - or ride the monorail to Polyn and GF.

if you go for blt or bwv if you get a rental early enough you can get a standard view.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

If it is in your budget, I would go with Wilderness Lodge. There is not another Disney resort that sings Christmas like the Wilderness Lodge. You might even consider renting points so that you can get a bigger room at a good price.

 

[bluejasmine]

They say WL is incredible at Christmas time, we stayed at POR this past Dec and enjoyed it

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[Upatnoon]

We are planning a trip the week prior to Christmas in 2014 followed by Christmas week on the Fantasy. DH and I are just starting to toss around ideas of which resort to stay at while at WDW. We know rates won't come out until this summer.

We have 3 DDs who will be 12, 9 and 7 when we go. Only the 12 & 9 year old have been to WDW but they don't remember it at all since they were 3 years and 6 weeks old respectively on our last trip. Yes, this trip has been a long time coming. DH, oldest DD and I have done one Christmas season trip to WDW in the past and did a split stay at AKL and GF in 2004. We loved the decorations at both resorts. We have also stayed at WL and Poly in the past.

I'd love opinions on your favorite places to stay at WDW during the Christmas season. This will be our first Christmas away from home.

I don't consider it a vacation to be all crammed in one tiny hotel room, so I would go for a family suite or a 2 bedroom DVC rental, depending on your budget.

 

[ElizabethB]

Grand Floridian would be a perfect choice for Christmas. They build an amazing life-size gingerbread house in the lobby from which they sell Christmas treats. The lobby tree is gorgeous. The pianist plays in the afternoon during tea. To me, the lobby has a wonderful old-fashioned Victorian "Christmas Carol" feel during the holidays.

If you prefer the Epcot area, any of the three Epcot resorts have lovely decorations - but not as spectacular as GF.

Many have suggested Wilderness Lodge. The lobby tree is neat as is the fireplace. But we found the rooms to be quite small there, so we would not pick that one with a family of five unless you spring for a junior suite. We'd go with Contemporary before we would do WL again.

 

[bluejasmine]

You can have 5 ppl at POR (we did) there is a murphy bed.. POR is very nice property as well, I would recommend it since WL will be like your home.. Its another alternative to Deluxe..

 

[Luv_Tink]

You all have such great suggestions and opinions and it's really giving me a lot to think about. I love the MK area resorts and being on the monorail. But the idea of being close to Epcot and DS for Osbourne lights, Candelight Processional, etc. really have me considering that area. Plus, we've never stayed at an Epcot resort before.

We'll have a better idea of our budget for this trip in the fall, so our decision will have to wait until then. I guess I should start showing my DDs pictures of the resorts to see what they like. They are beyond excited about this trip, I just hope it lives up to their expectations.