Comments on these resorts?

[tige]

Hello,

Hello!

My wife and I are taking our two sons (ages 7 and 4) to WDW the last week in June. We have been several times before:

09/97 - All-Start Sports
06/98 - Carribean Beach Resort
03/00 - Port Orleans - French Quarter

However, we do have a few questions for anyone that has been recently and would be so kind as to give us some opinions on their stay in the following resorts. I have priced these out with the discount codes and came up with the following prices for Jun24-Jul1:

All Star Movie or Sports: $74/night @ 7 nights = $518
Wilderness Lodge: $129/night @ 7 nights= $903
Animal Kingdom Lodge $139/night @ 7 nights= $973 (standard view)
Contemporary Resort: $154/night @ 7 nights= $1078
Polynesian Resort: $234/night @ 7 nights= $1638

Obviously, the Polynesian is way more expensive, but I include it in this list because of the proximity and ease of travel to MK. With small children this could be a factor. The All-Star is tempting again because of the cost. That's quite a savings!

I have read here that many people are fans of the Contemporary so we just recently starting looking at it as a possibility, but we know nothing of it at all. Wilderness Lodge looks close to MK, but we live in Denver so I don't know if the themeing would be much of a "vacation" for us.

Interested in any opinions or comments on price vs. convenience for these or any other resorts. What resort would the kids enjoy most? Any other pros and cons specific to these resorts? We plan on using WDW transportation.

Thanks so much!

Tige

 

[NotTooGoofy]

I stayed at ASMovies last Nov. The theming was great for kids and has a number of movie themes for the rooms like Toy Story, Fantasia, Mighty Ducks, etc. (we stayed at Toy Story). If you decide to stay there, ask your sons what building they would like to stay in.

The AS resort rooms are smaller than other resort rooms. If you stay at WDW during the off-season when park hours are shorter, the smaller room has a bigger impact because you're more likely to spend more time there and may feel cramped. When parks have extended hours, you may only need the room to sleep and store your luggage, the room size may not be a factor.

It is also more crowded and noisy at the AS resorts due to the larger number of rooms and it's favorite for kids. There is only one bus stop at each of the AS resorts so be sure you find a building close to the bus stop if you don't like long walks.

With the AS resorts, you get what you pay for but it's still Disney magic!

 

[MJames41]

For kids that age, my choice would be the All Stars. The giant icons are a lot of fun for small (and not so small) children. If you were to go to a deluxe, then I would suggest the Contemporary due to its proximity to the Magic Kingdom, or the Animal Kingdom with it's animals. Or, how about a split stay? Perhaps 2 hotels might be the ticket. No matter what you choose, enjoy your stay.

 

[pat fan]

I can only comment on the Movies,as that is the only resort of your choices that we've stayed at.My kids had a blast there!The giant Sorcerer Mickey in the main pool was a lot of fun,squirting water into the pool as you swam,the food court had lots of choices and didn't break the bank,laundry room was near the pool so you could do laundry and let the kids swim....There are lots of good things to say about the Movies.

As for noise & craziness,we didn't experience any and we were there in July!Never heard any noise in our room and the pool was usually full,but not so you couldn't enjoy yourself.

Good luck!

 

[allykat]

I have kids a similar age as you (6 & 3) and they loved the All Stars. They had fun in the pools and the bus system to the parks was great during both of our stays.

 

[ducklite]

I don't like the All Stars at all. They are garish. They are crowded. They are noisy. They are small.

In all honesty, the only other that is on your list that I've stayed at was the AKL, but it was incredible. I can't wait to go back! Your kids will LOVE seeing the animals.

Anne

 

[tige]

Well, we booked everything today. We got a great deal on airfare so had to make the leap of faith. We went ahead and booked at the Polynesian (nothing against your recommendations for the All-Stars, but the forum was down most of the day and i didn't read your posts until just now).

However, we are going to talk about it and we may end up downgrading to the All-Stars if my wife agrees. The only issue is there are no longer any $74 rates available at any of the AS resorts. I think there are still $99 rooms, but for that price we could stay at some of the moderates who still have rooms available at that discounted rate...

I know we would be pleased with the Polynesian, but it wasn't cheap!

tige

 

[cindyfan]

I see you have already made your ressies....but figured I would throw in my $.02....
Does the younger one still take naps? If yes, then go with either Poly or Contemporary because of the proximity. If $$ is an issue then I would go with the Cont. because it is cheaper.
Also, it will be VERY HOT at that time of year....if the kids are not used to the heat, you will want to take a break to swim and rest in the afternoon....again go with the Poly or Cont.
If you are thinking to save a few more $$....really consider a moderate! Rooms are bigger that All Stars and many other things to do....such as bikes and boats.
The moderates also have sit-down restaurants....All Stars..NO.
We are from Ohio and are really not into the "wilderness" thing so WL is not an option for us.
AKL is fantastic...we stayed there last year. But only one pool, which will get crowded! and it is far from everything.....will take a little longer to travel back and forth.
I really think All Stars will be extremely crowded!!! So if you are able to get a Moderate....go for it. All the Moderates have great pools and the kids will love it!
I think those big icons are kinda cool for about a day....then who cares.....If you are there for 7 days you will want to be able to relax too.

GOOD LUCK deciding!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

You made a great choice with the Polynesian!!! I'm sure you'll love it!!!

 

[jmarie]

Do you mind my asking how you get those prices???I'd gladly pay that for the Polynesian!!

 

[tige]

Sure....Here is the breakdown. The first package quote here is what I was originally quoted on disney.com. With a little work and a bit of luck I was able to save a ton of cash. I got the cheap hotel rate at the Poly by calling the CRO direct. Loads of good information on how to do that located here:

http://www.mousesavers.com

DISNEY.COM PACKAGE DEAL QUOTE:
$4520 - Original quote from disney.com (air inclusive) for a the
Polynesian resort with length of stay passes. Youch!

PRICED INDIVIDUALLY:
$920 - Round trip airfare from Denver,CO to Orlando.
$1818 - 7 nights at the Polynesian w/ code from mousesavers ($234/night)
$1057 - 6 day Park Hopper Plus passes (2 adults and 2 children)
-----
$3795 Total

SAVINGS OF $725!!! This will pay for all our meals when at WDW! We are so psyched! Patience and a little bit of work saved us a bundle and besides that it was fun!

tige

 

[dcedwards]

You asked about the moderates so I thought I would post. We have stayed at the POFQ and PORiverside. We have a son who is going to be 4 next month. He has been to both and prefers the FQ because of the theme.

POFQ rooms are smaller than the Polynesian and the only mode of transportation is bus except to DTD which you can get to by boat -- starting this month -- I believe. The FQ has been closed but is opening up again the first of the month.

FQ is smaller than the other resorts -- only 1000 rooms. It has a playground that is central and very nice. Pads below the equipment....Slide and climbing apparatus. The pool is great. There are alligators all over the place and it is very cheering. My son loves the slide -- even at 2 years old -- it is smaller than the one at Riverside (which you can also use since they are sister resorts). There is a hot tub, too, but during that time of the year it probably wouldn't be my choice.

Transportation at FQ isn't bad. You aren't on the monorail but we never found it to be a problem. Buses run fairly regularly from the parks. Our son sleeps in the stroller so would nap in the stroller but during that time of the year we still went back to the room to relax and swim. It is hot and humid. And, a nice break. Took about 10-15 minutes to get to the hotel from MK where we spend a good deal of time...you probably will too with kids that age.

The bus stops first at FQ and then goes over to Riverside and makes four stops. Goes fairly quick. As first stop on you can usually get a seat. In the evenings as first stop off that is nice. The drawback is that if you have a stroller you have to fold it up and carry it on. At the Poly you will be able to board the monorail with the stroller in its normal position with your child in it. Can't do that on the buses. For the price difference in resorts we never found it to be that much of a difference.

FQ does have a food court. It has just been redone so I can't comment on what it will have in it. I am sure it will be similar to Riverside. And, if you like you can walk to Riverside (5-10 min. walk along the river) and eat there. Before FQ had a good assortment and many of the standards for us such as PB Sandwiches, Mac and cheese, spaghetti, cookies, fruit, milk, etc.

FQ is small and everything is centrally located. We liked it because it didn't seem to be as "busy" as the All Stars and even some of the larger deluxe hotels. The pool, although it can get full, usually still had lots of room to swim. And Riverside has 6 more quiet pools plus the large pool at ole man island. Plus at Riverside you can have the kids "fish." You rent a pole and worms and the pond is stocked. Kinda fun. My son enjoyed it.

We really like the FQ and my son is so excited that the alligators are off vacation (it was closed last year and we were transferred to Riverside) when we go this Nov. You can find lots of pictures on this site, I think. That will give you an idea.

 

[mitzelf3]

I would go with the Contemporary because of overall value. You don't seem completely comfortable with spending that much $ on the Poly (although that is an excellent rate). On the other hand, you have not stayed at a deluxe. You have stayed at the All-Stars and at the moderates. Why not try something new. And being on the monorail line is an excellent feature, as others have said previously. Although I love the moderates, and my favorite deluxe is the WL, for you, in this situation, based on your comments, I think you just might find exactly exactly what you are looking for (better price, great location, unbeatable transportation) at the Contemporary.