Disney resort improvement suggestion

[JMCDAD]

Well I was kind of undecided this year between going to WDW and Universal.
We have decided on Disney, and are very excited for our second trip to the world.
Me, DW, and our 3 childrens. (10,7,5)

I do want to try US (and Seaworld, ......maybe next year)

Last time we stayed at AS Movies, loved it, very affordable, although the room was a little small. But last time my little guy was just under 3. This time we need a room that sleeps 5, and here comes my issue. Now my choices are limited to Port NO Riverside or a luxury. Now although WDW resorts are all beautiful in their own way, the only kid themed ones are the AS or PC.
So I never thought I would be saying this, but I am going to have to look into staying offsite. My suggestion to Disney, is to build a moderate kid themed resort that has rooms that sleep 5 (and maybe even 6).

:jumping4:

 

[Karibeth19]

We have never stayed at any of the AS or Pop, but only at moderates, and my DD has absolutely loved them! Last year, when she was 6, we stayed at Riverside, and she really had a great time and has talked all year about going back. The actual theming of the moderates may not seem to be geared toward kids, but there is so much that the kids love. Riverside is very wooded and is on the river, so there is a lot of wildlife, like bunnies and ducks. My DD would get a big kick seeing them on our way to and from the food court. We went in Jan., so we did not use the pool, but I've heard it's great for kids, and since POR and POFQ are sister resorts, you can use the pool over there with the big dragon slide. There are also nice playgrounds at both resorts. My DD was also facinated with the big water wheel, and loved to watch the gears spinning inside the food court while we ate. There are carriage rides, and boats and bicycles for rent, as well as catch and release fishing on Ol' Man Island, and a video arcade. The boat ride to Downtown Disney was a big hit as well. And, of course, there are kids areas at check in and the food court with televisions showing the Disney Channel, Disney bedtime stories on resort tv, Mickey wake-up calls, and hidden Mickeys in the bedspreads! We've decided to stay at POFQ in May, and my DD is already excited to explore her "new" resort!

I would encourage you to give Riverside a chance; I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[JMCDAD]

Thanks, I appreciate your input, I will mull it over and discuss with the clan.
I just don't see my kids getting excited about staying at a resort with a New Orleans theme, and the room itself for 5 is not really roomy.

Honestly the fact that the AS resorts are very affordable was a bonus to me,
the fact that it had all the great theming for the kids was why I stayed there. To me, a moderate, larger room, Disney charactered themed Hotel would be a great mix.

 

[momx2]

You could always do 2 adjoining rooms at the All Stars. That way, more room, plus 2 bathrooms. Just a thought. My kids really do want to stay a POFQ because of the dragon slide. We've stayed at several and they want to try it and they are 7 and 3. Show them some pictures and see what they like.

 

[spiceycat]

the only moderate that holds five is POR - riverside not french quarter and then only the AB alligator bayou.

how about FW cabins? then you get a kitchen and can save some money on food.

 

[JMCDAD]

Thanks for your feedback

I will do some pricing and see what it looks like

 

[eeyore0062]

Well I was kind of undecided this year between going to WDW and Universal.
We have decided on Disney, and are very excited for our second trip to the world.
Me, DW, and our 3 childrens. (10,7,5)

I do want to try US (and Seaworld, ......maybe next year)

Last time we stayed at AS Movies, loved it, very affordable, although the room was a little small. But last time my little guy was just under 3. This time we need a room that sleeps 5, and here comes my issue. Now my choices are limited to Port NO Riverside or a luxury. Now although WDW resorts are all beautiful in their own way, the only kid themed ones are the AS or PC.
So I never thought I would be saying this, but I am going to have to look into staying offsite. My suggestion to Disney, is to build a moderate kid themed resort that has rooms that sleep 5 (and maybe even 6).

:jumping4:

I wouldn't really say that! We think that PO-R and PO-FQ are very kid friendly. PO-R has a GREAT playground and a fishin hole for the kids (gotta throw the fish back) Both pools are nice, but most kids are partial to the Serpent Slide over at PO-FQ. The beauty of staying at PO-R or PO-FQ, is that you get 2 themed pools, 2 play grounds etc! We really love it at either. With the trundle beds at Alligator Bayou, your littlest one will think it is COOL to sleep on it! The rooms are also bigger and you have 2 sinks instead of one. You can always go over and visit your favorite values, if the kids are missing them, but I think they will be just as happy at PO-R.... mine likes it better! I think kids are hugely adaptable and will like whatever the parents like... it is the adults who get stuck in a rut. Also, PO-R is not themed on New Orleans... where you will be staying will be more like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer.... or even Splash Mountain! The mansions will look like gorgeous huge princess play houses. Plus here you can rent boats and surrey bikes and take a cool boat ride to DTD. The bus service is much better than the values, too! The food court is great! Kids don't have to have giant sized replicas of Disney Characters to enjoy a resort and have a great time. Try it, you WILL like it!!
All Star Movies- once
Port Orleans Riverside -3 times
Port Orleans French Quarter- once
Caribbean Beach Resort- once
Wilderness Lodge- once
The Contemporary- once
The Polynesian- once

next--either Beach Club or PO-FQ!

 

[JMCDAD]

The odd thing is I have been the one to tell anybody and everybody that you have to stay on site, was is this offsite nonsense......., but I'm telling you when I starting looking into it for a family of 5, and seeing that a mile or 2 away you can get a room, like double the size for around the same amount of money, its something to think about......

 

[momx2]

Spiceycat: I mentioned POFQ because it had been pointed out earlier that it is a sister resort with POR and you can use the facilities at each if you stay at one.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

The odd thing is I have been the one to tell anybody and everybody that you have to stay on site, was is this offsite nonsense......., but I'm telling you when I starting looking into it for a family of 5, and seeing that a mile or 2 away you can get a room, like double the size for around the same amount of money, its something to think about......

I never want the transportation issues and costs that go along with staying offsite - we don't like to drive on vacation, we love the Disney transportation.

 

[JMCDAD]

The Transportation thing is a non-issue for me. I am more of a drive it guy than a bus guy.
Last time we drove everywhere vs taking the WDW buses. Plus some of these places also have free buses to WDW if you needed....

 

[Karibeth19]

The Transportation thing is a non-issue for me. I am more of a drive it guy than a bus guy.
Last time we drove everywhere vs taking the WDW buses. Plus some of these places also have free buses to WDW if you needed....

We drive to WDW every year, and use our car to go to the parks rather than the buses. The good thing about staying onsite is the parking at the parks is free!! Plus, something else to consider is EMH is only for resort guests, so if you're interested in having that extra time at the parks, you would need to stay onsite.

I know what you mean about the cheaper prices at off-site hotels being enticing. Every time we go, I look at the condos and think how much cheaper it would be if we split one with my parents (who always go with us), but I know in my heart I would not be satisfied if we didn't stay on property. We got lucky this year with an e-mail code, so we're paying for POFQ the same, even less in some instances, than many off-site hotels!

 

[JMCDAD]

Thats probably whats holding me back, I don't want to regret it and lose any of the magic

But that Nickelodoen family suites looks pretty darn cool.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I am right there with you guys! We are very excited to be taking our neice this year, but it makes 5 in our room. My parents also travel with us. I keep hopping over to Sky Auction just to see what's there. I know we would love everything about a condo EXCEPT not having the extra hours in the parks. Now that they are offering 3 hours at night as well as morning time, it is hard to move offsite. But I am still undecided too. I looked at renting points but that is pricey or we would have to move for the weekends and that is a deal breaker for me. If there were only 6 we would do the cabins at Ft Wilderness but we will have 7. It would be great to have some kind of vaule room for 5. One with bunks would be great!!!!

 

[GoPatsGoSox]

Nickelodeon Family Suites? Where are they located? Are they part of the Universal onsite resorts?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We're staying at the Nickleodeon Family Suites Hotel for 2 nights before moving on to GF for 14 nights. I just wanted to let you know that the Nick Hotel is $200 per night. I don't think that's as cheap as POR or even two value rooms (with codes). We're not even doing Disney while we're there just Sea World because I wouldn't want the transporation issues.

We stay at deluxes (family of five) but if we couldn't I would definitely want to go to POR. They seem to have lot going for kids. The pool is definitely kid oriented, the fishing hole, and I understand the entertainment at the River Roost is definitely family oriented. I think you might be underestimating the POR. Just because it doesn't have life size icons around doesn't mean that the kids won't love it.

 

[JMCDAD]

Understood, but a couple of clarifications, at $200 a night it looks like you get a 2 bedroom themed suite with a mini kitchen plus a living room, compared to $150 a night for a 1 room with 2 beds at POR.
Just trying to keep things apples to apples.

 

[JMCDAD]

Just to add I am encouraged by the postive comments relating to POR for kids .
What to do, What to do,

 

[Grumpy92]

Just another suggestion but have you thought about the FW Cabins. They sleep six plus you get a LR, Kitchen and bunkbeds. As for activities for the whole family FW has a lengthy list.

 

[JMCDAD]

I just took a quick look, and unless I'm mistaken the WL Cabins that accommodate 5 people or more are up over $300 per night.