Complete Newbie

[aldiener]

Hi all! I am planning my first trip to WDW from Feb 15 thru Feb 21. I am trying to decide what resort to stay in. I am considering a moderate resort but could be persuaded to spend the extra on a deluxe resort if necessary. I am going with my 2 children age 9, 14 and my father. which of the moderate resorts would you consider? Which of the deluxe? Any insight and/or suggestions would be deeply appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Samsma]

You should start with a moderate, because you can never go back to a moderate after staying deluxe! Seriously, it depends on your taste. Are you into the beach scene, north woods, southwest, Africa, Hawaii, New Orleans? You will have so much fun planning! Do you have kids?

 

[MrsTink04]

Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ on here) is a beautiful moderate!!! We are Grand Floridian fans, but did a split stay this year with POFQ and really liked it. You won't get the turn down service and little extras at a moderate, but if that doesn't bother you, the decor is fabulous and the beds are quite comfortable, though they are only full beds (DH and I actually slept in separate beds - which was nice for about one day). POFQ is also small and quaint. Another plus is that the bus stops there first before going to POR, so you will usually get a spot on the bus! I would say that a deluxe is really only necessary if the "little extras" are important to you, or if you want to be really close to one of the theme parks.

 

[southjerseymom]

Any kids or just adults? That would be a deciding factor for me. With kids the first time I vote for Wilderness Lodge (WL) or Port Orleans Riverside (POR) - (you will get to know the abbreviations). Both should have pretty good rates around then. If it was just me and my honey - I would do an Epcot resort. Good restaurants, bars, and more entertainment options. You will get a lot of opinions....the bottom line is all of the WDW resorts appeal to people - you just have to find which one works for you. Have a great time!

 

[aldiener]

Any kids or just adults? That would be a deciding factor for me. With kids the first time I vote for Wilderness Lodge (WL) or Port Orleans Riverside (POR) - (you will get to know the abbreviations). Both should have pretty good rates around then. If it was just me and my honey - I would do an Epcot resort. Good restaurants, bars, and more entertainment options. You will get a lot of opinions....the bottom line is all of the WDW resorts appeal to people - you just have to find which one works for you. Have a great time!

i am going with 2 kids (9, 14) and my dad. thank you.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

If you have young kids....

I would suggest a Deluxe because all of the resorts (except AKL) are close to Magic Kingdom and a short Monorail ride to Epcot. This comes especially handy for those mid afternoon naps or swims.

If you have teens.....

I would suggest moderates such as Carribean Beach and Port Orleans (French or Riverside). These resorts are close to Downtown Disney and alot of the "clubs" are within a 10 min bus ride or 20 min boat ride. Also, these resorts are centrally located around MGM and Epcot.

If you only have adults...

Its up to you! I would suggest a split stay for your first, so you can experience both Deluxe and Moderate resorts.

Here is a list of mods and deluxes....

Animal Kingdom Lodge-Deluxe-Animal Kingdom

Beach Club-Deluxe-Epcot

Boardwalk-Deluxe-Epcot

Carribean Beach-Moderate-Epcot

Contemperary Resort-Deluxe-Magic Kingdom

Coronado Springs-Moderate-Animal Kingdom

Grand Floridian-Deluxe-Magic Kingdom

Polynesian Resort-Deluxe-Magic Kingdom

Port Orleans French Quarter-Moderate-Epcot

Port Orleans Riverside-Moderate-Epcot

Yaugt Club (sp?)-Deluxe-Epcot

I think I got them all Feel Free to Critique...

Hope this helps

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I think a split stay between a moderate and a deluxe sounds like a good idea--the best of both worlds.

I love the moderates...almost as much as I love most of the Deluxes

I really like Port Orleans French Quarter for a moderate, and the Grand Floridian is my favorite deluxe, though they have a huge price difference--the Grand Floridian is almost three times the price per night!!!

The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a truly unique experience, which is why it is also one of my family's favorites, but it is too removed from many of the areas of WDW that we frequent (Epcot and MK areas) so we usually only stay there a few nights per trip.

I would recommend a split stay between POFQ and either the Grand Floridian or the Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Boardwalk, but it's really just a basis on what theme appeals to you and what location in WDW.

Have fun deciding!

 

[southjerseymom]

I'm taking my Mom with DH, DD3 and DS5 to WDW this Feb after a 4 day DCL cruise. We really tossed between a couple options. We could get 2 moderate rooms for a reasonable price. We have stayed at the WL before and loved the theming -but thought the rooms were small. We have stayed at the Poly - loved the size of the rooms. We made ressies at the BWI deluxe concierge for 3 nights after our cruise until I realized I was spending $1600 for 3 nights. Insanity for my family. We were going to go WL deluxe suite - none left. We are back at the Poly for 3 nights AAA room only. Semi reasonable price for a large room and the access that will make my MOm have a good time. There is a resort that works for every family and situation....but I do admit I agonized over my choices until I made the one that is going to be right for us! Have a great time!

 

[stm61]

if you stay at POR (Port Orleans Riverside) they have a trundle bed you can use for the 9 yr old. Most of the deluxes have a daybed for a 5th person. This gives you an extra bed so you and your dad both don't have to sleep with one of the kids. You can also bring a blow-up air mattress to give you an extra bed in any of the resorts.

 

[teacher31]

We love POR. We've visited the other hotels while at WDW and each time we leave one saying, "Glad we're at POR." Silly thing we like - parking somewhat near our room. If you stay at some of the other hotels you have to schlep all of your stuff from the car a ways away if you run to the grocery. I think POR should be at the top of your list. It's wonderful!

 

[Tiggerbell05]

With a teen, I would suggest a moderate resort because of the food courts. POFQ is nice because it is small. POR is nice because of the trundle bed mentioned above. If Dad has any mobility issues, look at a map, or ask someone to suggest an "AB" (Aligator Bayou) room near a bus stop or closest to the main building where the food court is. POR is pretty spread out and it can be quite a trek to the food court or bus. The AB rooms are the only ones with trundles, although I read somewhere recently that trundles are also available at Coronado Springs. I've stayed at the Beach Club, and while I LOVE walking to EPCOT, I find the moderates and values more "family friendly".

 

[Gary M]

I would suggest you buy an AP and stay in a lodge view room at the WL. With the BRP you can stay from 2/15-2/21 (six nights) at the WL with the purchase of the AP and 7 day hopper passes for the others, 2 adult, 1 child for a total of $2,190.36 (tax included) vs. the POR or POFQ 3 adult 7 day hoppers and 1 child hopper and 6 nights in a standard room for a rack rate total of $1,784.94. The BRP for PO for your group would be $1,715.40.

The rack rate with hopper passes for the WL would be $2,460.60.

 

[whacked]

Your kids would love the pool at the Coronado. It's one of the best of all of the resorts, including the deluxes.

If you are on the dining plan, the Pepper Market is a great deal for counter service.

 

[Samsma]

Have we confused you yet? This decision is really hard, but a lot of fun to research. The first time we stayed at Disney in 1998 we stayed at Dixie Landings, now POR. It was fun, but my travel agent just made the decision and there I was. At least you know your options. Another plus for POR or POFQ is that they share pools- if you get tired of one, you can go to the other. And they have a boat ride from the resorts to Downtown Disney for shopping and other food options. No one has mentioned the Home Away from Home resorts. These give you a kitchen in the one and two bedrooms, plus you own laundry facilities, and other bathing area to get ready in. On our trip in July we stayed at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and we had the best time ever. Perfect location for us, plus the Villas are newer than the actual lodge. We have also stayed at Old Key West. Very nice and bigger, but a little out of the way with only bus service to the parks. You can book these thru Disney, or rent points from the actual timeshare owners. They have their own discussion board. We rented points last summer with no problems at all.