dillema

[lagunn]

help!
we have been to orlando 6 times (last time was in march this year)
we will have some money within the next 3-4 weeks and we will be going back this september.
problem being we stayed 3 times in a hotel (cramped with 5 of us), 3 times we have stayed in a villa.
me and dh wanted to stay in a disney hotel for the first time, but our 2 girls (17 yr old son doesnt want to come ) dont want to they want to stay in a villa.
what are the disney hotels like? should i just book it and stay onsite?
the girls are only 11 and 8 i cant believe they have pooh pooed a disney hotel.

 

[Dicky Knee]

Like all young children they are very comfortable with what they know. My daughter, when she was younger, always wanted to go to the same places and same restaurants etc. We just carried on and did what we wanted and she always enjoyed herself - but always wanted to go back to the last place we stayed!!

I'd book the Disney hotel. They will love it.

 

[lagunn]

thanks for your reply.
would you suggest the best disney hotel for kids!

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Maybe they want their own pool, maybe they just want some space and privacy away from Mum and Dad? Especially the 11 year old - going towards puberty... they need some space.

Personally I think that you two are the ones paying, so you should decide - am constantly amazed that parents leave a lot of decisions up to children. You could always give them the choice: going along with what you want or staying at home with a relative

On a more constructive note, I BELIEVE that the all-star resorts now have some "family suites" available - i.e. a seperate room/area for the kids to sleep in their own beds. That may work out... OR look at renting a DVC one/two bedroom villa from someone (a lot cheaper than getting it direct from Disney) - that would give you more space and privacy.

How long are you going for? How about 5/7 nights on-site and 9/7 nights in a villa?

Boo

 

[fizz13]

I was just going to suggest renting a DVC villa, this might be the best of both worlds,

 

[lagunn]

I was just going to suggest renting a DVC villa, this might be the best of both worlds,

how do i do this?

 

[Eljay]

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_fw.htm
The cabins at Fort Wilderness are a nice option for families.
(Not to be confused with the Wilderness Lodge, which is also very nice)

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Haven't tried myself, but if I did, I would look at the forums on here relating to DVC - http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

Renting from another owner seems to be the cheapest way to get a villa (can be VERY expensive if you go direct with Disney...)

Boo

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We really prefer a villa , for so many reasons.
However, next month we have a 3 week stay booked where the first week we are staying at the Boardwalk and then the remainder at a villa - the best of both worlds.

Having said that there are just 3 of us, if you are considering something like the above you would probably need a 2 bedroomed villa, at one of the DVC resorts.
We bought our points off the rental board on these forums. Just as a taster as we are thinking if buying into DVC.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

thanks for your reply.
would you suggest the best disney hotel for kids!

We've stayed at both the All Star Movies and the Port Orleans French Quarter. The big advantage with the All Star Resorts is that they are all Disney themed. Victoria (then aged 8) loved the 101 Dalmations block we stayed in, and she enjoyed walking around the other themes as well (Toy Story etc).

The pool was Mickey Themed and there were Disney props all over the resort.

The Port Orleans French Quarter is an excellent hotel and I would recommend it to anybody. Wonderful theming and beautiful grounds etc. However, the disadvantage of the Moderate and DeLuxe resorts is that they don't have the Disney theming of the Value resorts, and really could be anywhere that does themed hotels. Victoria was 13 this year so this wasn't a major issue - we got our Disney "fix" in the parks.

Hope this goes some way to answering your question about Disney Hotels.

 

[Miffy2003]

How about 5/7 nights on-site and 9/7 nights in a villa?

Boo

I like this idea!

I'm always one for compromise though (as long as I still get my own way )

 

[UKDEB]

I'm always one for compromise though (as long as I still get my own way )

Hallelujah to that!

I agree that kids crave the familiar and I'm sure they'll enjoy it whatever you decide. For me, the Disney resorts don't come anywhere near a villa for all sorts of reasons, but that's said from the luxury standpoint of having experienced both. I'm sure if I'd never stayed onsite, it would be some sort of nirvana. In fact, I know it was until we'd done it.

We've often stayed at a villa for the duration of our trip and taken a couple of nights out to stay onsite (either at WDW or USF) and, for me, that's probably the best of both worlds. In October, we'll be spending 9 nights in a villa, 7 onsite at the BWV, and 2 at the new Rosen Shingle Creek. We're looking forward to experiencing the 'total immersion' of being onsite for a prolonged period, especially as we'll be there during the International Food and Wine Festival.

If you're considering one hotel room for the 4 of you, I think you may find it restrictive having previously holidayed in villas. Maybe a split stay would be worth considering. I'd recommend taking a couple of nights out mid-trip - you can just pack an overnight bag and lock up the villa. Returning to the space and peace (not to mention the washing facilities) always seems like a bonus.

 

[LeCras]

I would definitely look into renting points from a DVC member. This would give you the best of both worlds: staying onsite and having more space.

We are DVC owners and treated my family to a two week DVC stay this last April. DH and I had a one bedroom villa to ourselves, and my family (two adults, two children) had a two bedroom. This meant the kids could have their own room and bathroom, while the adults could enjoy the master suite with the jacuzzi. The lounge and full kitchen were a plus, they had a cooked breakfast every morning and there was somewhere to watch tv etc when the early sleepers retired for the evening.

They were incredibly impressed with the accommodation - apparently it's ruined all their future holidays!!

Charlotte

 

[AndRu]

me and dh wanted to stay in a disney hotel for the first time, but our 2 girls (17 yr old son doesnt want to come ) dont want to they want to stay in a villa.
what are the disney hotels like? should i just book it and stay onsite?
the girls are only 11 and 8 i cant believe they have pooh pooed a disney hotel.

The 17 yr old is just being independant - no way would I go anywhere with my parents at that age!

As for your daughters, they'll (as other have said) be missing the a private pool and, I think, their own bedrooms. As you've said, staying in a hotel can be a nightmare experience when you're all crammed in together. A villa gives you and them some freedom, space and time to relax. Added to that you can cook your own food so you don't have to eat at over-priced onsite restaurants or in burger & chip food courts.

I know you're the ones paying for it but it's their holiday as well. In my opinion they should also have a say in where you stay, what you do and where you go.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I know you're the ones paying for it but it's their holiday as well. In my opinion they should also have a say in where you stay, what you do and where you go.

These kids are 8 and 11 - that is still very young: yes the parents should consider what their children say, but I don't think that the kids "have a say".

I am sorry (I am 32 and not a complete old fogey...), BUT I believe that too many parents allow their children too much control/say in their family's lives. There is a whole generation of kids out there who are growing up being very used to having "their way" and having their parents bending over backwards to ensure that their children get everything they want. This is leading to a very "me" oriented, selfish and unpleasant world

Maybe a split stay (on-site for a few nights and villa for a few nights) OR DVC villa rental will work out a reasonable compromise. To be honest I think two adults and two pre-teens in one hotel room would be too much... Lots of families seem to do it, but wouldn't fancy it myself.

Boo

 

[AndRu]

Perhaps some parents do give in easily then again, some parents go to the other extreme and dictate every aspect of their childrens lives. 2 of my cousins lives are wrecked because of their domineering parents wanting full control of what they did and who they saw - they never had a choice in anything. A middle ground approach where everyones opinion (even a child's) is respected is the best way forward - at least that's what this 39yr old fogey believes! It works in our house, although I'd draw the line if they said they wanted to go and see Derby or Forest instead of Leicester ... then I would dictate the law.

Maybe, and only maybe, once our kids have flown the nest I might be tempted to spend a night in an onsite hotel. But I'll put that thought to the back of my mind for as long as is humanly possible. The thought of being able to wander around a villa in my boxers and jump straight out of the bedroom into a private pool is too strong.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Perhaps some parents do give in easily then again, some parents go to the other extreme and dictate every aspect of their childrens lives. 2 of my cousins lives are wrecked because of their domineering parents wanting full control of what they did and who they saw - they never had a choice in anything. A middle ground approach where everyones opinion (even a child's) is respected is the best way forward - at least that's what this 39yr old fogey believes! It works in our house, although I'd draw the line if they said they wanted to go and see Derby or Forest instead of Leicester ... then I would dictate the law.

Ah, you are an even older fogey than me

I agree that parents should dictate everything - with growing up comes responsibility (including the responsibility for ones own decisions...).

It's like if you allow a 6 year old to choose what they want for tea every night, they will live off of burgers and chips for the next 12 years...

I guess that - within reason and depending on age - I think that kids should be able to make their own decisions (i.e. friends, school subjects, outside interests, how to decorate their own room). But I don't think that they should be making (or having control over) "family" decisions (i.e. holidays, choice of car, choice of restaurant on an exclusive basis...). Yes they should be listened to, but they are not family decision makers.

Maybe I am a little over-reactive - I see too many kids dictate to their parents how the family should live and that really seems all wrong to me

Maybe, and only maybe, once our kids have flown the nest I might be tempted to spend a night in an onsite hotel. But I'll put that thought to the back of my mind for as long as is humanly possible. The thought of being able to wander around a villa in my boxers and jump straight out of the bedroom into a private pool is too strong.

As posted before, I find it a difficult concept to accept 4 or 5 people in one hotel room, with one bathroom...

Boo

 

[Dicky Knee]

thanks for your reply.
would you suggest the best disney hotel for kids!

Returning to your original questions on this thread....I would suggest for children one of the "value" resorts - Music, Movies etc. These are all Disney themed with giant Disney characters and other Disney props all around the resorts. The rooms, like most of the hotel rooms in Orlando are what I would call "motel" style.(including "Moderates"; "DeLuxe"). They may appear a little small, but if you intend spending most of your days at the parks etc . then they are more than adequate. The pools have loads of Disney Characters etc.
There are food courts on site (basic but acceptable) and a Disney shop. The buses run regularly to all the parks.

I won't offer advice on villas (hmm, having just looked at your original thread you didn't ask that anyway ), as you've already stayed in those and know what they are like, but if you do choose to stay on site, for the age of your children I would recommend the "value" resorts.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I still think the villa option is relevant, many of us have commented that a hotel room is just not big enough for the size of the party here.
Irrespective of whether the majority of time will be spent outside the room(s) in question.

If the Disney 'hotel' option is still a possibilty, as a few of us have suggested a DVC resort would appear to be (in my opinion) the best bet, especially as 2 bedroomed options are available.

Any question where people (like us) stay in a villa and then switch to hotels whether off-site or on-site the difference in space available is always going to be the main talking point.
Therefore a split-stay for me is the best option - at the end of the day it's (like so many issues) down to personal choice.
As long as Lagunn is happy with the choice and has a great holiday then that's all that matters.

 

[lagunn]

Thanks everybody for all your input.
we have decided to stay in a villa, as we can swim without having to worry about getting to the pool.