first time visit--which resort for a family of 6?

[larasonday]

We are a family of 6 --4 children (15, 12, 3, and 16 months). We are planning on going in June. WHich resort would be our best bet? We need to book a package and resort soon. PLEASE HELP!!!!Also, I am a teacher and heard there are discounts at the Swan and the Dolphin. Is this true ?HOw does it worK? DO any others offer this disc? Are the studios at the Swan nice?

 

[Gillian]

There's no rush to book

Budget? Code discounts for June will hopefully be out soon. Check mousesavers.com for info. Also keep in mind that most people on the DIS will be discussing room only reservations, not packages.

Your choices for hotel rooms are 1 room at a Deluxe (poly, CR, GF, Boardwalk, Beach Club), 2 rooms at a moderate (or WL), 2 rooms at one of the All stars. Benefits are lower cost & 2 bathrooms. And 2 TVs!

Then there are the Wilderness cabins. They sleep 6 - bunks, 2 doubles. Benefits are full kitchen and a little more privacy than 1 room. Cons are 1 bathroom, 1 TV, only 1 sink (& it's in the bathroom). Transportation is iffy. We waited a long time for the busses, and you have to take 2. I'd still stay there again, it's a great resort!

Last option is a 2 BR at a home away from home resort, which you can get through CRO or renting points from a disney vacation club (DVC) member. Pros are kitchen, space, balcony. Cons are cost. For June you're looking at about $300 per night for a point rental at old key west.

Most cost effective would be 2 rooms at the All Stars. Nicest would be a 2 BR DVC property. Coolest would probably be a monorail resort.

 

[Crowsie]

Head over to the Camping at Disneyworld Board and check out the cabins at Ft. Wilderness Resort.

We stayed there in November of 2001....We had 4 adults and 2 children. The bedroom has a queen (might be a double) bed and bunkbeds. There's a pulldown murphy bed in the living room. We were very comfortable.
There is also a fully equipped kitchen. We made all our meals and saved a ton of money.
The cabins also have a deck so you can sit outside, watch the steaks on the grill and eat at the picnic table. It was wonderful..the kids crashed early..and we were able to sit outside without being couped up in a hotel room.

Easy access to all the parks....you'll love it!

 

[Gillian]

It's a double! We were there in September. We loved the cabin, but hated the beds.

 

[mtdewhead]

We also are a family of six. Your options depend on your budget. We have gotten two adjoining rooms at All Sport which worked out fine, and inexpensive. No problems. We also have now joined DVC and have gotten the 2 bedroom option at Old Key West which is so fabulous we almost cried! If you plan on being in the parks alot or just away from your room all day, any of the All Star resorts is a great choice. We like to take several "pool" days to relax in between parks so we spend more time at the room and then the larger option keeps me sane. It is expensive but so worth it. (Having a washer and dryer and full kitchen is nice as well to cut costs on food. )

 

[erikthewise]

As much as I enjoy Disney resorts, if I had a family of six and was on a budget, I would seriously consider the Doubletree Guest Suites near Downtown Disney.

It is on-site in spite of being non-Disney. I stayed there last year when attending a conference at the Hilton. The suites there are huge (I'd guess around 600 sq ft) and will sleep six; they have two queen beds in the bedroom and a sleeper couch in the living room. You can get reasonable rates (and a review) through mousesavers.com, or through internet rates at doubletree.com. Although it is not nearly as luxurious as DVC suites, it should be less expensive than other onsite options. Doubletree hotels are in general a good chain and this unit is not an exception.

However this option works best if you have a car. There is a private shuttle service that runs from the Downtown Disney hotels, but there have been complaints about it and I never used it.

 

[mariamouse]

I do not know a lot about the Swan and Dolphin, but do know that they do offer teacher rates, but none of the other resorts do (I don't think). I think the teacher has to be with the party at check-in and must have some kind of identification that they are a teacher. From what I know, it is a great offer in a nice location in a resort with spacious rooms. However, the resorts are not Disney-owned, but this may/may not be a problem for you. Hopefully, someone can give you more information/specifics?

~mariamouse~

 

[Gillian]

Swan Dolphin FAQ, with info on the discounts (scroll down a bit)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=265057