First timers trying to narrow resort options

[janemousegirl]

We would appreciate any input or ideas of how to narrow down our options. We are 2 adults and 3 kids (5-8) trying to decide between:

Port Orleans Riverside, garden view room, one room
All Star Music or All Star Sports, standard rooms, two rooms
All Star Music, Family Suite

We will be adding a dining package if that makes a difference, and using Disney transport. Where is a good place to look to understand the difference between these options? TIA

 

[4chickadees]

We have found that multiple rooms (i.e., a 1 or 2 bedroom) always makes the vacation nicer!!!! It is so hard to sleep with everyone in one room. I'd choose a place with a separate bedroom if you have to choose a nicer resort or a bigger accommodation.

Happy Disney!!!!

 

[Kim1964]

www.allearsnet.com has great photos of all of the resorts and some pretty good descriptions. The thing to remember about getting two rooms is that Disney won't guarantee connecting or adjoining rooms.

 

[Belleofthehouse]

Definitely two rooms. On our last family vacation we stayed at POR-one room. While it was manageable I will NOT do it again (my kids were 13/11/8 at the time).

We have not stayed in values yet, but we may in order to get two rooms. Having two bathrooms and separate sleeping areas is much better.

Have a great trip!

 

[Disney Addicted]

Personally if I could only choose a value, I would go for POP. From what I have read, they have dedicated buses (don't know if that will change once AoA opens); has been recently renovated; and you can get rooms facing the lake at no additional cost!

If we decide to let our DD bring her BF, we will be facing the same scenario. POR Alligator Bayou for 3 kids (13, 11, 8) or 2 rooms at POP.
(Same as the PP )

I would rather 2 rooms for more space & privacy, but it's $1,300 cheaper for 1 room at POR. That would pay for airfare! While I could handle it for 14 nights, I think my husband would crack. He drove me nuts for 10 days at CSR with the lack of space. Decisions, decisions..

 

[twinboysmom]

I woukd choose the family suite. 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette and you are guaranteed to be together. If you choose 2 connecting rooms, it is not 100% guaranteed (there have been numerous threads on this and there are reports from Dis members that were split). If you decide to do 2 connecting rooms I would not choose music due to when they converted rooms to suites, it is my understanding that your chances are less for connecting rooms.
We stayed a few weeks ago at a suite in music and loved it. We had 4 adults and 2 young children and found it quite nice. Would gladly stay there again.

 

[Koda]

We stayed at POR 3x when our 3 DDs were younger (once for 10 days). It was the most affordable option for us, and we made it work. Now that our girls are teenagers, however, we either get 2 rooms at a value, or a Family suite. The 2 bathrooms are a must! We have gotten 2 connecting rooms at both Pop and ASMu without a problem.

I have reserved 2 connecting rooms at Pop for our upcoming June trip.

Have fun wherever you decide to stay!

 

[canopynut66]

We would appreciate any input or ideas of how to narrow down our options. We are 2 adults and 3 kids (5-8) trying to decide between:

Port Orleans Riverside, garden view room, one room
All Star Music or All Star Sports, standard rooms, two rooms
All Star Music, Family Suite

We will be adding a dining package if that makes a difference, and using Disney transport. Where is a good place to look to understand the difference between these options? TIA

Unless you just want to cook in your room and we do not even make coffee in the room---we started out years ago in deluxe resorts and then went to moderates and POR is a favorite as well.. then tried the all stars did not like the suites as we want regular beds not sleepers and at the time we were there could not get free dining with a suite not sure if can now or not. then we tried POP Century and we really like it there and bus service best of any resort property...they have three pools and lots for kids to do and a movies area. we have went back now four times and we get two rooms---connecting-----but if your going to put kids in one room need to have adult listed in --each---room..we also get preferred so it is a little closer to food courts and pools. this year they going to charge for a pool view (this a first)...will just need to make your reservations one in your name and one in husbands can still hook them together and pay as one. I do it all the time for my cousin and her family...some good sites are allears.net and mousesavers.com and any disney site will explain the rooms. when we first started out years ago I liked the Unoffical guide to WDW.. when you get free dining and I have figured it upside and down to us it beats any discounts on rooms. two rooms also cheaper than one suite...so far

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I would pick the family suite over 2 rooms. We stayed in a suite on our October trip and having the 2 bathrooms was great but having the kitchenette came in very handy for us because about half the trip we ate breakfast in the room and we had a lot of drinks to keep cold in the fridge. With the suite mom and dad get their own bedroom and the kids get 3 separate sleepers in the living room. Nobody has to share a bed (unless you have 4 kids)

 

[GAGirlInVA]

Family Suite- two bathrooms, guaranteed to be together with a door to shut once the kids go to bed allowing you to stay up and watch tv or talk or whatever.

LOVE the family suites with the kiddos.

 

[coastermom]

When we go as a family we are 5 with 3 adults now and 2 kids .. we always stay at the All Star Music for the suites !! Best room for 5 in WDW .. We did POR when the kids were little .. It was WAY TOO SMALL for 5 !! We just did a girls only trip for my DD Sweet 16 and stayed at Beach Club with 5.. which is expensive but a great room and the location is the best to walk to Epcot !! the pool is the best I have been to on WDW so far .... I am going alone with DH for our Anniversary in two weeks we are going to stay at AKL but only because it is just the two of us !! Have fun and good luck picking a resort it is not easy to choose !!