Family of Six - Need opinions

[Cmbar]

Our Ressies at the Dolphin for the dates we needed were not availiable

Here is our choices for a family of six : mom, dad and 3,5,8,& 10 year old:

Pop Century : Cheapest

Fort Wilderness Cabins: Mid price

Port Orleans : Most expensive but in our budget.

SO opinions please on these three resorts please. First and only time to Disney so we want to make it magical for the kids. Which one is the most stress free for walking and eating (food courts and sit down restraunts at the resort?)

Any opinion would be appreciated!

 

[Grumpy92]

I would pick FW. The cabins are very nice, only one Bath though, living rm, full kitchen and wonderful deck where you can sit out and enjoy the environment. There is so much to do at FW, the kids can bike they have a playground, petting farm, fishing, wonderful campfire with Chip & Dale. The campfire is free and a Disney movie follows it nightly. The bus service is not that bad we have never had to wait more then 20 minutes and that was at xmas. The boat goes to the MK and their is direct bus service to the other parks. When we stay at FW we really feel like we are getting away it is just so relaxing and quiet there. You might want to fax the FD a few days before you arrival and request to be put at the end of a loop near a bus stop.

The moderates would be my second choice. POR has a wonderful foodcourt, pools and playground. Again they have bus service to all the parks, which is not bad and a boat to DTD Boatwrights is a great restaurant for brkfst or dinner and the entertainer in the lounge is great for the whole family.

 

[doodlenj4]

Hi there, I am debating the same with my family of six, but we are trying to keep it to one room, our youngest are twins age 2. Do you plan on getting adjoining rooms at the mid priced hotel? I wonder how that would compare to one deluxe room. Anyone ever done adjoining rooms in midrange with a big family? Is it worth it?

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by doodlenj4
Hi there, I am debating the same with my family of six, but we are trying to keep it to one room, our youngest are twins age 2. Do you plan on getting adjoining rooms at the mid priced hotel? I wonder how that would compare to one deluxe room. Anyone ever done adjoining rooms in midrange with a big family? Is it worth it?

You could also do 1 room in a deluxe (except for WL & AKL). The rest sleep 5, 2 queens, 1 daybed & room for 1 crib. A child under 3 does not "count" in the per person room count (since they could be in a crib). We had a nice room in the CR garden wing. There would have been plenty of room for your family.

Just a note on the FW cabins, you may be to far to walk to the pool, main bus stop, etc. FW has it's own internal bus line (the "orange"). So you may end up taking at least 2 buses to your destination. They also only have 1 resturant (trails end). You would, however have cooking facilities & a grill.

Look for Tyler (chip & dale). He's a Disney bus driver. He can give you the "lo down" on the FW transportation. You can generally find him on the transportation brd.

HTH's!

 

[soccer mom]

When our four kids were younger we stayed at FW several times. We enjoyed having a kitchen for a quick bagel/cereal breakfast. Saved time and money. The campground is wonderful with lots to do.

Now that the kids are older, we enjoy two connecting rooms, usually at a moderate. Couldn't live without two bathrooms.

The one drawback to campground is transportation. If they still do it this way, there should be an internal bus (it goes from loop to loop) that gets you to the main area of the campgrounds and then you transfer to a bus/boat to get to the parks. You will not be able to walk to a restaurant, general store, or lake (not sure about the pool). Although transportation was never a problem and I would stay there again in a minute, if this is a shorter trip where you're trying to do everything this may not be the way to go.

The moderates have a food court and a sit-down restaurant and you will be able to walk to them and the pool, although it could be a 20/25 minute walk if you get in the furthest most buildings. If POFQ is open when you go, I would recommend it because it is the smallest of the moderates (5 minute walk to anywhere!). The themed pools with a slide at the moderates are nice too.

I believe Pop Century is a value and may not have a sit-down restaurant. I don't know much about it except I have no desire to stay there. They may not have a themed pool either (just a nice little perk). Someone should know more about this resort.

Whatever you decide, you will have a wonderful time. But be careful! Our "one and only trip" in 1991 turned into five more since. This November will be our fourth trip in five years!

Good luck!

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

Back in Feb., I arranged a family visit - DW, DS (4), myself, and sister-in-law's family. We took two rooms at All Star Movies, and requested connected rooms. With 4 adults and 3 kids (3-11 at the time), we had plenty of room with doors open. Also, during down time, kids could watch cartoons/veg out, while adults were able to watch something else, play cards, etc. Just a thought and an option that may help you out!!

 

[2MuchOhana]

If you want to keep it one room, we suggest trying FW; otherwise you will need two rooms. We haven't stayed at any of the resorts you mentioned; but like everything they will each have their own pros and cons.

Pop Century has only a food court; but no sit down dining. They will have an arcade and themed pools for swimming.

Moderates have both a food court and sit down dining, arcade theme pools, quiet pools, and a store.

FW has unique entertainment and sit down dining.

Think about whether you want one or two rooms and what features are the most important to you. Your children will have a great time no matter where you stay. Afterall you are going to the "Happiest Place on Earth"!

Interested to hear where you decide to stay. Wish we could have been a bigger help.