Complete Newbie Needs Help

[elizke]

Greetings all! I am in charge of a family vacation planned for April 2006, and I really don't know what I'm doing. I went to the Magic Kingdom ONCE for just a day in 1980 with a friend. In other words I am completely inexperienced. I don't even understand half of the abbreviations on this board.

The group consists of my husband and I and our two kids (7 & 10), my two step kids (now adults), and their two spouses. We were unable to take the older kids when they were little, and taking a trip with all of the siblings is going to be a special time for us all. We all have budgets, but I want this to be very nice for all of us. We won't have the money or time to do this again anytime soon!

We all agree we'd rather stay at a Disney resort, for all of the obvious reasons. And we'd like to have two close 1 bedroom suites for the 8 of us. It's hard to find reasonable suites! The Coronado has them but my stepson stayed there before so would like to go somewhere different this time.

All I could come up with is Old Key West or Saratoga Springs villas. It would be the top of our budget. (Actually a bit beyond of course.)I have read that they are too far away and different to be part of the Disney experience, but I think all day at the parks is enough for us. I've also read that it's better to have your own car at these, but we won't. Also that they are too spread out. (Though I read that about many of them.)

I am really leaning toward Saratoga Springs. Is this a good idea considering the group we have? Does anyone have great or horrible experiences there? Which building or area should I request, and can you make such a request now? Are there any other ideas for a place to stay considering we need two suites?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. I really want to make this a nice trip we will remember. I'm so glad to have found this forum. Boy do I need help!

Elizabeth

 

[blewits]

Elizabeth,

Welcome to the DIS! You'll find all the help you need and then some here.

My first reccomendation is to go out and buy 1 or 2 Disney World guide books. I strongly recommend "Passporter Walt Disney World Resort" and "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World". Both have INVALUABLE information in them.

Now, I have personally stayed at Old Key West before in a 2 bdrm. unit before and it was perfect for 2 families of 4. It saved us money to split the cost. We had a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, laundry room and those units are very, very big in comparison to the other 2 bedrooms at other resorts. Ours had a view of the quiet pool too which was nice. The distance did not bother us one bit.

I want to suggest something too at the risk of making your decision more confusing. Have you considered the cabins at Fort Wilderness. You would need 2 of them. One cabin sleeps 6 people. Each has a living room w/a Murphy bed, full kitchen, bedroom, bath and your own porch with a grill and picnic table. The reason this is a great alternative is that it is SO quite and peaceful in FW. It is a respite from the parks. It's close enough that you can take a boat over to Magic Kingdom if you want. They also have a great program for kids every night and it's FREE! They have an outdoor Disney movie every night on a very large screen. They have a campfire and you can make s'mores or roast marshmallows, and best of all - Chip and Dale always show up and visit with everyone. The units are great for coming back at lunchtime for a homemade (cheap) lunch and a nap. Also there is a nature trail, beach (no swimming), horseback riding, bike riding, water boats for rent. Very, Very relaxing.

I dont know anything about Saratoga Springs other than the suites are smaller than Old Key West. I'm not sure which website has it but I think you can find the floor plans for the rooms on the internet. Oh, I think even disney.com might even have them. Anyway, I know the Passporter book has the floor plans in them.

I hope this helps. Good luck and let us know what you decide. No matter what, you're going to WDW and it will be great!

 

[speakupjc]

If you haven't checked it out you may want to take a look at this website

http://www.allearsnet.com/

It has tons of helpful information including hotel reviews, menus, etc. As far as a place to stay is concerned check out Wildenrness Lodge (they even have a Wilderness Lodge Villas).

 

[spiceycat]

you can rent points from a DVC member you know.

April, 2006 (except for Easter week - don't go to WDW Easter week or the week before)

OKW
Studio 11 points so $110 per night Sun-thurs - sleeps 4 - 2 queen bed
1-bedroom 22 points so $220 per night sun-thurs - sleeps 4
2-bedroom 30 points so $300 per night sun-thurs - sleeps 8

BWV - standard view
Studio 11 points so $110 per night Sun-thurs - sleeps 4 1 queen and double sleeper sofa
1-bedroom 24 points so $240 per night Sun-thur - sleeps 4
2-bedroom 32 points so $320 per night Sun-thur - sleeps 8

BWV - preferred view plus VWL and BCV
studio 14 points so $140 per night Sun-thur sleeps 4
1-bedroom 30 points so $300 per night sun-thur sleeps 4
2-bedroom 40 points so $400 per night sun-thurs sleeps 8

this is peak time - using DVC points the summer months would be the same.

 

[Rella Bella]

Hi, glad you found DIS. You'll get lots of ideas and useful information. I pulled this from the forum home page... it's a list of most of the abbrivations used on the board. I made it into a word file and always keep it handy when I'm on...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[elizke]

Elizabeth,

Welcome to the DIS! You'll find all the help you need and then some here.

My first reccomendation is to go out and buy 1 or 2 Disney World guide books. I strongly recommend "Passporter Walt Disney World Resort" and "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World". Both have INVALUABLE information in them.

Now, I have personally stayed at Old Key West before in a 2 bdrm. unit before and it was perfect for 2 families of 4. It saved us money to split the cost. We had a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, laundry room and those units are very, very big in comparison to the other 2 bedrooms at other resorts. Ours had a view of the quiet pool too which was nice. The distance did not bother us one bit.

I want to suggest something too at the risk of making your decision more confusing. Have you considered the cabins at Fort Wilderness. You would need 2 of them. One cabin sleeps 6 people. Each has a living room w/a Murphy bed, full kitchen, bedroom, bath and your own porch with a grill and picnic table. The reason this is a great alternative is that it is SO quite and peaceful in FW. It is a respite from the parks. It's close enough that you can take a boat over to Magic Kingdom if you want. They also have a great program for kids every night and it's FREE! They have an outdoor Disney movie every night on a very large screen. They have a campfire and you can make s'mores or roast marshmallows, and best of all - Chip and Dale always show up and visit with everyone. The units are great for coming back at lunchtime for a homemade (cheap) lunch and a nap. Also there is a nature trail, beach (no swimming), horseback riding, bike riding, water boats for rent. Very, Very relaxing.

I dont know anything about Saratoga Springs other than the suites are smaller than Old Key West. I'm not sure which website has it but I think you can find the floor plans for the rooms on the internet. Oh, I think even disney.com might even have them. Anyway, I know the Passporter book has the floor plans in them.

I hope this helps. Good luck and let us know what you decide. No matter what, you're going to WDW and it will be great!

Blewits -
Thanks so much! I feel like I've hit the jackpot with this board!

As for sharing a two bedroom, I thought of it but the group dynamic just doesn't work. It's really three families and even my four needs some space. (My hub snores loud enough to ruin any chance of a good night's sleep, and my son is so loud when he's awake, I need an escape or we would not have a happy Disney time ; )

I had looked at the cabins, but now I looked again. It does look nice. I'll add it to the list of choices I've made for the group.

And thanks for the book recommendations. I had planned to buy one and now I know which one (or two).

Thanks!!

Elizabeth

 

[elizke]

If you haven't checked it out you may want to take a look at this website

http://www.allearsnet.com/

It has tons of helpful information including hotel reviews, menus, etc. As far as a place to stay is concerned check out Wildenrness Lodge (they even have a Wilderness Lodge Villas).

Thanks Speakupjc. I will definately check it out. Looks like a lot of what I need.

Elizabeth

 

[elizke]

you can rent points from a DVC member you know.


Thanks Spiceycat. I wondered about that but wasn't sure how to go about it. Are there any differences between someone who books a villa through Disney, and someone who's sharing a DVC, like maid service or any other services? I was thinking of the Boardwalk place but it was more expensive.

E.

 

[elizke]

Hi, glad you found DIS. You'll get lots of ideas and useful information. I pulled this from the forum home page... it's a list of most of the abbrivations used on the board. I made it into a word file and always keep it handy when I'm on...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

Thanks heavens I had your post to decode the previous one! Really helps!!!!!! Now I can pretend to be experienced. ; )

E.

 

[spiceycat]

you don't get maid service at any DVC resort when you are staying on points. they are considered your home...

you can pay extra for the maid service if you want it.

I don't like people in the room when I am not there - so no maid service works great for me.

the studios comes with a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa (except OKW 2 queen beds) - kitchenett and balcony plus everything you get in a normal WDW room.

the 1-bedroom has a king bed in the master, a queen sleeper sofa in the livingroom, full kitchen, washer/dryer stackable (except OKW), whirlpool tub in the master plus a shower stall.

the 2-bedroom is a combination of 1-bedroom and studio