family of 5 - resort advice

[sanctus]

We've got three kids, and I'm looking for your input comparing apples to oranges.

Do I get 2 adjoining rooms at an allstar, or spring the extra money for the CR which will sleep 5? What I'm wondering is, if you had to choose, is it better to have 2 rooms, 2 tv's, 2 bathrooms, etc, or to have a deluxe with a monorail. If it helps, I'm planning for Dec. 2005, and my kids will be 10, 8 and 6 when we go.

I appreciate any help from the experts!!

 

[micmacmissy]

I would vote for a nicer resort and just one room.

However, I would NOT recommend the Contemporary. Have you been there? We went to California Grill for dinner last week inside the hotel--I was shocked at how ugly the resort was. It was a total dump, completely outdated looking--I've seen Motel 6's that are nicer looking. It reminded me of a prison--all that cement--I couldn't believe that people pay top dollar to stay there--eww!

 

[spiceycat]

no 2 rooms - 2 bathrooms are a need!!!

of course if you think you would be fine with only one - I would recommend the FW cabins - full kitchen so you can save some money here. if you have boys, or tom girls this is pretty nice.

now if you only have princess - then I vote for the Polyn - or a 2-bedroom at BCV or BWV or VWL.

 

[hygienejean]

How about renting points from a DVC owner and getting a 2 bedroom at the BWV, BC, or WL? If you go during a slower season the points won't be as much and you will have a HUGE, spacious and beautiful place to stay. Oh and there is a fully appointed kitchen and a washer/dryer. We have done this twice with great outcomes that didn't hurt our pocketbook as much as a deluxe would....Good Luck!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I would definetely go with the contemporary. We have stayed there before. I must admit no matter what resort we stay at we really dont spend that much time in the room. As the other posters said, if you want to save alot on food costs then you might consider the cabins. The swan/dolphin is another option to look into. Our family of 5 has stayed at the swan twice with the govt. disc. If we go again, I am bringing our own aerobed to save on the charges. Good luck deciding.

 

[spedtcr]

If you're willing to spend the $$ money to stay at the CR, I'd def. consider renting points and staying at BCV or BWV. It would be even less expensive if you get two studios. You'll still have a microwave and minifridge. You can't beat the location!

 

[4eeyore]

If you plan on staying 6 nights or more, how about trying both? That is what we did last time we went. The first 3 nights we had connecting rooms at Movies and then spent the last 3 nights in the tower (MK view) at the Contemporary. The one room at CR was plenty big for the five of us (my kids at the time were 6, 8 and 10). I liked being able to check out 2 different resorts. The kids loved both but seemed to prefer CR because of the monorail and the pool slide.

 

[sanctus]

I would vote for a nicer resort and just one room.

However, I would NOT recommend the Contemporary. Have you been there? We went to California Grill for dinner last week inside the hotel--I was shocked at how ugly the resort was. It was a total dump, completely outdated looking--I've seen Motel 6's that are nicer looking. It reminded me of a prison--all that cement--I couldn't believe that people pay top dollar to stay there--eww!

I've seen pics, mostly on the Disney site. Has it gone downhill or is it just a matter of taste? I love the idea of being that close to MK and having a monorail run thru the hotel.

 

[hellooothere]

We are a family of 6 and just returned from 2 rooms at the Pop! It was perfect! Very clean resort at it is still so New! Having 2 bathrooms was a bonus. Plus the little ladies could go to bed while we stayed up! I can't say enough good things about the Pop! Plus at $55 a night per room you just can't beat the price. We bought a small styrofoam cooler to keep yogurt and milk for breakfast etc. then ate lunch and dinner in the parks. The Pop is the perfect resort for large families as there is something for all the age ranges. Our 12 year old loved that we were so close to the food court for the refillable mugs! My 10 year old loved the arcade! My twins (4 years old) loved the little pool and Goofy spray pool as well as all the "Big Icons". Plus we got the cutest towel animals!
The bus system is great here too as they have their own busses so no sharing like the All Stars!
I thought the store was well stocked with a variety of items. The food in the food court was varied so there was something for everyone - try the Shrimp Lo Mein (very good and spicy)
So I am a big fan of the Pop! We had reservations at almost every resort before ending up there. I started out at POFQ, then POR, then I thought we would need the space of the Cabins at FW, but finally decided on the Pop and it was a great decision. Worked out great and the whole family was pleased.
Good luck with your planning and I hope this helps!

 

[my3kids]

The Fort Wilderness cabin would be perfect for you. It has a full size kitchen for breakfasts or snacks, a separate bedroom for the kids with each child having their own bed to cut down on fighting. The housekeeping service was just like the other hotels on site....Mickey soaps and loads of fresh towels. They even do the dishes. You'll get the 2 TVs and a lot of room for you and your spouse after the kids go to bed. You'll have a murphy bed in the living room area, but there are chairs and a sofa, a full kitchen, dining area with deating for 6......We got up, got showers and fixed breakfast for the kids before we woke them up. It was great.

 

[CRCrazy]

Our family of 5 LOVES the Contemporary Resort - despite what some people think!

The rooms are enormous - and our family (which does have 3!! daughters) had no trouble sharing the bathroom - the toilet has it's own little room - so you can have 1 shower, while another is "resting". The beds are queen size (much nicer than doubles!), and the day bed is a full twin sized bed - very comfy!!

We've stayed there several times, and while we do like the tower better than the wings (Duh!), even the wing rooms (we like the North much better than the South!) are truly magical - the views are great -and the walk to the MK is amazingly easy! I like the decor of the rooms, and the 4th floor Concourse is a little piece of Disney heaven on earth!

We have also stayed at the Poly (nice sized rooms, but we liked the CR better - and our Poly stay was concierge level!), as well as the AKL (only concierge level - since we have 5 - a deluxe concierge room is only slightly more than the deluxe savannah room - and the AKL concierge is out of this world!). Our perfect trip would involve a split stay between the AKL and the CR - best of both worlds - AKL for it's complete immersion into the African savannah theme, and CR for it's complete immersion into Classic Disney & MK! love the monorail!

We have stayed at the All-Stars, and just didn't like it! While it was fine - the walk from the Broadway building to the Main Hall was WAY LONG! One day, my daughter left her park pass in the room - and it was a 1/2 round trip walk to retrieve it! The food courts are extremely busy - and the pools, while nicely themed, are pretty boring for teens and pre-teens! No slide - no deep parts - just a place to get wet. I didn't like the teeny tiny rooms, or the small double beds. I guess I'm spoiled - I like the deluxe life, even when you aren't in the room that much!

 

[tar heel]

Our family of 5 would rather give up privacy and the extra bathroom than stay in two rooms at a value or Fort Wilderness cabin. Two rooms at a moderate -- we have to think about, though. We've never stayed at the CR, so I can't advise you on that.

Renting points for a two-bedroom DVC resort is a LOT more than a deluxe room, especially one with a good discount.

YC -- one room (fine)
Poly -- one room (fine)
FW cabin (cabin good but didn't like pool, transportation)
CSR -- two rooms (fine)
All Stars -- two rooms (didn't like)
POR -- one room (did this twice but haven't since 2000 -- was okay with smaller kids but probably won't do it again)

 

[swilphil]

I'd go for the deluxe. We are staying at the Contemporary in March. Being able to walk to MK is a BIG plus for me, and my sons will love the monorail. I initially was worried about the decor, but I talked to friend who stayed there. She liked it and has very good taste. I've always been worried about getting two rooms. My understanding is they can't guarantee you adjoining rooms, though they try to accomodate families.