First Time Visit

[klapham]

We're taking our 5 year old grandson for the first time to Disneyworld and are a bit overwhelmed by the choices and prices of resorts. We would prefer to stay somewhere that is more than just a room - or if a room, at least one with a small fridge and coffeemaker. Our main concerns are easy access to the main park areas. We are boaters so would love the boat rentals. Can't find any info on cost of boat rentals or golf carts. Can't find any info on which resorts might be close to grocery stores or if cabs are readily available. We don't want to have to rent a car. Anyway have any advice? Thanks.

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by klapham
We're taking our 5 year old grandson for the first time to Disneyworld and are a bit overwhelmed by the choices and prices of resorts. We would prefer to stay somewhere that is more than just a room - or if a room, at least one with a small fridge and coffeemaker. Our main concerns are easy access to the main park areas. We are boaters so would love the boat rentals. Can't find any info on cost of boat rentals or golf carts. Can't find any info on which resorts might be close to grocery stores or if cabs are readily available. We don't want to have to rent a car. Anyway have any advice? Thanks.

Welcome to the Dis!!

Yes, planning your 1st WDW vacation can be overwhelming! But you've come to the right place.

WDW resorts come in 4 basic "styles". Value (room, few frills), Moderate(inbetween), Delux (many frills), and home away from home (Fort Wilderness Cabins and Vacation Club). So, picking your "level" is a good first step.

Next, decide where you'll be spending most of your time & book a resort in that area. (Fro instance, if you'll be spending most of your time at MK, book a MK resort, not Epcot).

Also, look at the different resort themes. Pick something that appeals to you.

Coffee makers are generally not in the rooms. You can, however, request them in most if not all resorts (ask again when you've decided upon your resort). Fridges are an additional charge. (Cabins & vacation club resorts have small kitchens. Cabins also have individual grills.)

Cabs are available at all resorts. They are generally at the enterence. If one is not there, bell services will call one for you.

Grocery stores, I believe the only, very small one, is at Fort Wilderness.

Golf carts, can only be rented at Fort Wilderness, and I believe the cost is $35 per day. Boats can be rented from WL, Poly, GF, FW, and CR (I'm not sure abt the Epcot resorts.) Anyone can rent them, you don't have to be a guest of a particular resort. Disney has a "family plan" for boat/bike rentals. For around $200 you can have unlimited access to specified boats and bikes. Again, I'm not sure exactly which boats are included. If this strikes your fancy, you can ask for more info.

You really don't need a rental car. Disney transportation is wonderful. There are boats, monorails, and buses that connect everything.

Also, Disney can get expensive. Watch for discount codes (try mousesavers.com). They can help you save quite a bit on your room.

I've just given some high points to help you get started. Good luck, happy planning! Ask lots of questions!

 

[Grumpy92]

Most of the resorts do not have in room coffee makers. But you can purchase a resort refillable mug, which is good for coffee or soda at the resort you are staying in.

I would first decide how much you want to spend per night. You might consider the FW cabins they have a bedroom, lr and kitchen. It is fully equiped including coffee maker and mousekeeping does all the cleaning. FW is the campground but there are so many activities there to do, campfire movie with chip & dale, petting farm, canoeing, biking and it is the quietest resort. Buses go to all the parks and a boat goes to the MK, plus they are right on Bay lake.

Once you have selected a resort I would find out what your grandchild's favorite character is and make a resv/PS for a character meal.

Here is a great site that gives alot of info like menus, prices for recreation etc.
http://allearsnet.com/

You also might want to order the free vacation planning video/dvd from disneyworld.com or purchasing a guide at your local bookstore. Some of the favorites are Birnbaum Official Guide of WDW, The Unofficial Guide of wdw or the Passporter.