Family of 6-which deluxe resort?

[Travelmom4]

DH and I are taking our 4 children (ages 4, 5, 8 & 12) to WDW in Feb 2008. We are trying to decide where to stay. I am guessing that we will be spending alot of time in the MK and that AK and Epcot will come in second.

What do you think about Poly vs. AKL? I love the descriptions of AKL but am concerned that it might be too removed from MK, especially with tired little ones. On the other hand, it seems that the restaurant options at AKL are a bit better.

What do you experts think-2 MK rooms at Poly or 2 savannah rooms at AKL?

I appreciate your advice.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'd vote for the Poly. It's on the monorail!

 

[dogsmom]

We stayed at AKL and I really did not feel that we were too removed from everything. In fact, AKL has their own busses and I thought that their transportation was one of the best! AKl has so much to do for kids!!

 

[Seahunt]

With kids, I think the Poly with the monorail too. But don't forget to look at the WL Deluxe rooms while you're searching - they now have concierge service included

 

[Travelmom4]

Thanks for the tip and the floorplan. I did not know about those rooms but I might come out better cost-wise than trying to get two rooms elsewhere.

Have you stayed at WL and how was the transportation to MK?

 

[kayla and alex mom]

We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge twice and found the boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom to be just fine. We never waited long for a boat. Usually on the way back we went to Fort Wilderness first before the Wilderness Lodge but the kids liked the boat so much that they didn't complain. You may even want to look into the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. They have studios, one and two bedrooms which can come in handy if you want to spread out. This resort is one of our favorites!

We have also stayed at Grand Floridian and the monorail was really convenient especially with the kids. I'm sure you will be happy with any of the choices in that area.

 

[Travelmom4]

I really appreciate your advice! This will be the first trip with all 4 kids and I expect another every 2-3 years so I am thinking long term as well.

Great info and insight on this forum.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

I would recommend a two-bedroom at VWL. With the full kitchen (easy breakfast), two bathrooms, and a washer and dryer they make staying with a large group much more comfortable. If they are not an option, I would say two rooms at the Poly. Monorail to MK or quick walk to TTC and monorail to Epcot.

You should look into DVC while you are there!

 

[AJKMOM]

I really appreciate your advice! This will be the first trip with all 4 kids and I expect another every 2-3 years so I am thinking long term as well.

Great info and insight on this forum.

With the size of your family, and planning to visit every 2-3 years or so, you might want to consider buying points at the Disney Vacation Club. I know that we wished we had done that years ago, instead of waiting until 2002. A 2 bedroom villa will hold up to 8, I believe, and there is a kitchen and washer/dryer that makes it really great.

 

[deej696]

My vote is the yacht or beach club. Awesome pool, convenient to Epcot and the Boardwalk, and great rooms.

 

[Magic2000]

Hi Travelmom4 - from a fellow North Shore resident! We live in Bush, and I work in Mandeville!

Anyway, we loved our stays at monorail resorts (have stayed at GF, Poly, & Contemporary) - the convenience is great, especially with younger kids!! We will be trying the AKL for the first time in Nov! Can't wait!!!

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[Travelmom4]

Thanks for the info on your experience at the monorail resorts. I am really itching to try the Animal Kingdom Lodge but think that for our first big trip the Poly might be most convenient. I want to hear about your AK experience, though, after your trip. I am holding back my AK urge by planning to stay there in another couple of years when the kids are older.

Gayle

 

[bizeemom4]

Hi, travelmom4. This is bizeemom4. My four were 4, 8, 11 and 12 when we went the first time. We have stayed at all levels (including 2 nights offsite which I wouldn't recommend). Because it is the first trip with all the kids, I would stay at a MK resort. Having easy access to the monorail will make things very easy.

My kids love the Yacht Club the best. But if you're going in winter, you probably won't do much swimming. We had two tower rooms at the Contemporary and that was our best trip. Waking up to the castle is awesome!!! The only resort that didn't do anything for me was POR. I just didn't find the decor appealing at all. I enjoyed the All Stars more than POR. Unfortunately, my kids refuse to stay value anymore.

Planning is the more than half the fun for me. Enjoy!

 

[Travelmom4]

Yes, I like the planning, too. Our trip is still 8 months away but I have become somewhat obsessed. It's reassuring to come to this forum and know that I am not the only one!

So you thought that the view at the Contemporary was worth a little extra? My husband doesn't yet get the view thing but I was planning on upgrading to a MK view at Poly or maybe Contemporary. I think we would all enjoy it.

I'm also considering the meal plan-have you tried it?

Thanks for the tips.

 

[ahutton]

For that family size I would check out the 2 bedroom villa rooms for sure. They have them at Beach Club, Boardwalk, and Wilderness Lodge, as well as Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. They are a great value and have good space. Another option where you don't need two rooms is the Family Suites at All Star Music. We stayed in one a couple weeks ago and LOVED it!! And it is a great value. Bus service was very good from All Star.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

We are a family of 6 as well and my mom travels with us making us 7, my children are 5,5,6,8. This year will be my girls 6&8 4th trip and my boys 5&5 3rd trip. We have stayed at WL twice and BWV once. The BWV was wonderful because of all the space, kitchen, washer, dryer, and bath options. We were not crazy about the BW area, didn't feel as Disney as the WL. We are going this year in Sept. for free dining and are staying in 2 pool view bunk bed rooms at AKL. We are really excited about trying AKL. We were booked in savannah bunk rooms but dedcided to save $700 and stay pool view (whick looks beautiful BTW). We stayed at WL twice and it was wonderful.. I can't say enough great things about WL. The boat service to MK was fun, it seemed that our day in the park began as soon as we boarded the boat.

I stayed at the Poly years ago when I was in high school and really enjoyed it. The monorail service to MK was great, but remember you still stop at the other resorts on the monorail, there is no direct service to any of the parks (with the monorail or bus). Also, the Poly seems to be soooo spread out. I don't remember it being bad when I stayed there but we were in the log house right by the main building. But, the WL has very long corridors, and from what I understand, some of the rooms at AKL can have long walks to the rooms as well. One thing about the junior suites at WL, there is only 1 bathroom, which is a big deal with our family. We like to tag team bath time - it goes much faster.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of your options, you'll be at Disney. And, as with any hotel/resort, there are pluses and minuses to all of them. Good luck with your decision.

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear Travelmom4

I thought I would pitch in my 2 cents, which is probably worth only a penny.

First I would suggest looking at tikimans website . Just Google Tikiman and you will find it.

I have stayed at the Poly 6 times, the Contemporary once , and the Boardwalk villas twice.

I think if I were in your position wanting to spend most of your time at the MK and Epcot second and with the age of your children.

It would be a no Brainer, the Poly is where you want to stay.

Why might you ask.

The proximity to the MK the TTC and the amenities can't be beat.
1. You can take the Mono rail to the MK its the second stop.
2. You can take a boat to the MK.
3. You can walk to the TTC and take the monorail to Epcot ( its actually faster to walk to the TTC than switch trains to the Poly.)
4. The room has 2 Queen beds and a pull out sofa, which can easily accommodate the 6 of you. With the age of your children I think it would be a waist of money to purchase the second room.
5. When your children get tired you can be back in your room in minutes for an afternoon nap and a swim.
6. When the park closes you can be back in your room in minutes.
7. The poly has a great beach for your kids
8. Captain Cooks has great chicken strips
9. Ohanas has a great character breakfast
10 Ohaans for dinner your kids will love the coconut races and the hula competition.
11. Atmosphere, Atmosphere. Atmosphere

As far a views go I don’t think you should base your decision on where to stay based on a view. Both the Contemporary and the Poly have great views.

The Hawaii Longhouse is Concierge Level, Its about more money but you can request an unobstructed view of the Castle. We stayed in room 3504 and 3508. These rooms are on the third floor and close to the concierge lounge. The Hawaii building is also close to the Great Ceremonial House, “Monorail, Captain Cooks, etc” I am sure you can check out the Concierge food offerings on the resorts board or on tikimans site.

The Tahiti Longhouse has great views as well. We stayed there once. It is a walk to the Great Ceremonial House but a very very short walk to the TTC, Where you can board the Monorail to either Epcot or the Mk or you can board a much larger Boat to the Mk .
An Option would be to stay in this long house and take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan. With the age of your Children It would be very affordable.

You might also want to think about forgetting about the view and request a stay in the Samoa Longhouse, It is very close to the Great Ceremonial House and directly across from the Volcano Pool .Great if you and your kids like to swim. It is one of the smaller longhouses and hard to get.

What ever longhouse you request I would suggest always request a second or even a third choice.


You might be able to save up to $ 100.00 on your room if you purchase at least one annual pass. Depending on your length of stay it might worth the price of the Ap. Check out the Resorts board at the top of the page “Codes and Rates”
You will need to watch this page closely as the annual pass discounts evaporate in hours.
I have always been able to get a discounted room but there is no guarantee.

1. Book your room with rack rates or an AAA discount if available.
2. When the AP discounts become available be the first to call when guest services open. Just have your room converted to an AP discount
3. Have your AP when you check in.

Good luck, wherever you decide to stay it will be the right choice and you wont be sorry.

Sincerely
Searl Proudbottom

 

[Travelmom4]

Thank you for all of the info. I am glad to hear that WL worked well for you. While it is not as close to MK as Poly you get boat transport which I think would work well b/c my kids would love riding! I was wondering about the WL 1 bdrm-I'm with you, one bath is not enough!

Also, I am looking forward to hearing what you think about AKL and how it works for a large family. I hope you have a great trip! BTW, are you from LA? Prejean is definitely a south LA name.

 

[Travelmom4]

It is so helpful to get input from those of you who have done this many times before. I particularly appreciate the details about meals at the Poly and the different longhouses. I'm thinking that the Poly is going to work well for us mainly for the convenience. Like you say, little ones get tired in the middle of the day and it's really useful to pop back to the resort for a nap and a swim.

Also, I will look up tikiman's website-I love a new resource for info and I don't have that one.

So if I go with the AAA rate and a great AP rate comes out I can book it (quickly) and then buy my AP? Also, any other benefit to the AP, assuming we go with the dining plan?


Many thanks!
Gayle

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear Gayle

To answer your question

So if I go with the AAA rate and a great AP rate comes out I can book it (quickly) and then buy my AP? Also, any other benefit to the AP, assuming we go with the dining plan?

Yes if you can get a AAA rate you can have your room converted to a AP rate if one is available. You won't need an annual Pass until you actually check in.

When purchasing an annual pass you want to make sure you will be getting a voucher that you validate at any theme park guest services building. It’s at the entrance to the park. This way your pass is good for 365 days from time you validate your pass. You actually only need to show the voucher when you check in. Keep in mind that it has been 2 years since I had done this and things do change. You can speak with guest services or other Disers to confirm what I am saying.

Also you didn't say how many days you would staying at the world. You will have to do the math if buying an Ap would be the right move.

More Tips for you

I can’t stress enough you need to watch the resorts board daily at the top of the page under Codes and rates. There is always a watch tread for ap rates. Ap pass holders usually get a heads up from Disney when the rates will come out and it is usually posted. Living in California I would have to get up at 4:00 in the morning to get the rate. They go fast but its worth it One vacation I saved $1,700 on my room.

When checking out tikimans website make sure you check out the maps section and the longhouses. it will give you the pros and cons for each long house.

If you decide on the Disney Dining Plan make sure you make your reservations early. You can make them up to 180 days prior to your arrival.
if you want to dine at LaCelliar in Epcot its a must. Remember you can cancel at any time at no charge.

A couple of other web sites that have a lot of good stuff are Deb Willis , AllEars site and MouseSavers.

If you have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask, just pm me.

Remember half the fun of a Disney World Vacation is the Planning

Good Luck
Searl