Favorite Deluxe for family of 5

Grumpy's Wife

Dollar Tree gal here
Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
26,988
What is your favorite Deluxe resort and why. My kids :earsgirl: DD13, :earsgirl: DD9 and :earsboy: DS5 really want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge but I'm not willing to spring for two rooms. Now we can't decide on where to stay. Any input would help. ::MinnieMo
 
We love the CR :) Our kids are 18,15, and soon to be 13. We love the view from the tower rooms, love the fact we can walk to MK, and love being at a monorail resort :goodvibes
 
Because my family size is different to yours, my reasons for choosing a resort will have no relevence to you and would probably show a resort that would not be suitable for you.

Some of the delux resorts will offer "day beds" that are a little like short twin bed. These would be fine for a 5 Y Old (they're adiquate for most kids up to age 7/8 unless they are VERY large for their age). For your group size I would consider the Contemporary. It probably has the most convenient room set up ( if you make sure you get a room with 2 queens and a day bed). Cost wise though it's going to be a close thing which is cheaper, one delux room or two rooms at a moderate and the 2 room option gives you an extra bathroom.

If the "woodsy" themeing is something that is attractive to your family you could consider the cabins at Fort Wilderness. These units would be perfect for your family size, give you the same feel as WL and similar access to MK. However these should not be considered a deluxe resort.

Your last option is a 2 bedroom unit at one of the DVC resorts ( VWL would be an obvious choice if available to you). The DVC resorts all offer spectacular units and are available through Disney. It is often possible to rent points from the owners for the DVC units, but this is a private deal between you and the owner, neither Disney or the owners of this site take any responsibilty if that deal were to go bad (I've never heard of that happening, but it could). Renting points from an owner could give you a 2 bedroom DVC unit for about what you'd pay for a deluxe room, but there are implied risks. Even if you were to rent from Disney ( or via Dreams) it's worth remembering that although the "headline" cost of the unit appears to be higher than a regular room the savings you can make by using the kitchen ( even if just for breakfast) could help soften the blow of that higher room rate. Depending on how you usually eat a couple of small changes in your vacation style ( bagels,cereal, OJ toast for breakfast and maybe a pizza and a movie night) could mean the actual total cost is suprisingly similar.

It sounds like you're going to have to make some compromises , so you need to decide what's the most important priority and what are you prepared to give up in order to give you the best vacation experience possible for your budget.
 
POLYNESIAN all the way! It is AWESOME! You won't be sorry......try it! We did and we love love love it. Going back in July and I can't wait! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
Hookedondizney :flower:
 

Please consider the AKL!! MY DH and I have stayed there 2 times within 5 months each time for over a week. Your family will love looking at all the wonderful animals. There is a CM standing by for any questions concering any of the animals you may see. The pool is a zero depth entry. Which is great for small children who are starting to swim. We ate at the food court several times. We were never disappointed. We also ate at Jiko they had a wonderful buffet. They have a bond fireat night where you sit in rocking chairs and the CM tell stories. They also have nighttime goggles for late night animal viewing. The only thing that I did not like the rooms were dark. They had over head fixtures and a floor lamp. They still were not adequate. The only reason I could think of alot of light may disturb the animals. The bus service was great never had to wait long for pick-up or drop-off. I hope this helps. I know you will have a wonderful time no matter where you stay!
 
There also is the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and the Boardwalk resorts. At the Animal Kingdom Lodge, there is a deluxe Savannah View that comes with 1 queen bed, set of bunk beds and a day bed.
 
hi!! I have three kids as well dd 7 dd 8 and dd 5 and although I have not stayed there yet I chose the CR...I had chosen POR AB but with free dining I decided to upgrade and go at the end of Sept to get a bigger room. The reason I chose CR??? lOCATION...I bet it is going to be awesome to catch the rail to MK or even WALK!!! And to be able to see the castle possibly from our rooms!!! WOW!!! I guess it all depends on your family's trip...we plan to see MK, swim a bit, see Epcot and MGM...maybe AK but we might save that for next time...since we are way into parks it was obvious I wanted a close resort on the monorail...the rooms look spacious enough and I bet the daybed could handle up to 12 or 13 yo depending on size of kid...otherwise, I am 5'2 and 100 some pounds so I could always daybed it if I had too :)
I also wanted to dine at Chef Mickey's and CRT for lunch and this resort will alow me to do so without much traveling! Good luck with your planning stage!! It is harder for larger families to get a good price at Disney, the rooms are more equipt for a family of 4 IMO and a villa or suite, well I am a sahm and that is out of our budget...I speicifically changed travel dates to save the $$$ because feeding a large family gets pricey and this way we c an splurge and have fun and everthing is taken care of!!

good luck
 
YC/BC are our resorts of choice- two queen beds and a day bed. Lots of space and if you can manage a full balcony, waterview all the better. BW just around the corner for evening activities and ESPN for those sports fans! Street performers and a festive atmosphere.
You can walk into Epcot or take a short boat ride to MGM-lots of places to eat (don't forget the BW Bakery-YUM and Beaches and Cream). Pizza and beer take out window for mom and dad too.
There pool is awesome-some sections are zero entry, some are sand bottom and they have a waterslide and a lazy river. Something for everyone.
 
I would go with the DVC resort too - why - do you really want to be in a one (1) hotel room with 3 kids?

a 2-bedroom villa would give the kids their room and you yours. they could also play in the livingroom and burn off some energy.

renting from an owner is definitely cheaper and the way to go. most of the regular dis dvc posters don't want their reputation run - so you should be save.

just don't ask for impossible. Getting a BWV standard view villa is hard at anytime but asking for one a couple of months before you leave is just down right impossible.

VWL is the smallest of the DVC resort so if you want a villa I would go find a person to rent from now!!!

be sure to tell the member what other DVC resorts you will take. If you don't even want to consider one - but sure and say so.

the DVC resorts are OKW, VWL, BCV, BWV and the new SSR at WDW.
 














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