GF or YC ??? - Special Situation

[BrianD]

It's that age old question, Grand Floridian or Yacht Club? Ok, here's the situation:

We are taking my wife's family to WDW for their first time. They consist of mom & dad (both in 40's) and three children including two (active) boys (11 & 13) and a 15 year old daughter. They'll all be in one room and my wife & I will be in another. Now here's the deal - my wife's mother has cancer (a brain tumor) and she is in the middle of chemo which makes her tired, which means potentially that she could need to take significant breaks during the day, so it is important to be in a convenient location. She likes the elegant style so that is why we have narrowed it down to the GF or YC. Now there's also the boys, who are in to swimming, and I know SAB is supposed to be great, but doesn't the GF have a decent pool now as well? My wife's dad doesn't care, just as long as there's a place for he and I to go get a beer and maybe smoke a cigar! And my wife's sister is fine wherever too.

So, do you have any advice on which resort would best fit this situation? I myself have been kind of leaning towards the GF, just because it's considered the "flagship" resort and plus the rooms are a tad larger and the monorail is there, and I think they would really think that is cool, this being their first time to WDW. Or is SAB cool enough to make us go with YC for the boy's sake?

Any opinions???

Thank you so much!!!

 

[ducklite]

With kids that age choose the YC. It's just as elegant, service is MUCH better, the pool is great (yes, the GF pool is nice, but no where near what SAB is). The only park that the GF is convenient to is MK, and I do'nt see kids that age spending a ton of tiem there. Rahter I see them wanting to be at Ecpot and MGM (My son is 17, and those are the only parks he really cares about, and has really cared about for a long time!). Both are within a very easy walking distance, or there is a very relaxing boat ride to both as well.

Anne

 

[Mer]

I have stayed at the Grand Floridian a few times when my children were younger and have loved it. It was especially good staying there because we spent most of our time at Magic Kingdom. This time we are going to try the Yachtclub. My children are now 11 & 13 also, and I figured we will be spending most of our time at Epcot and MGM and probably only go to Magic Kingdom maybe once. The YC has the great pool, so when your mother-in-law needs a break, everyone could just go swimming and then it won't be that big of a deal to head back to the parks. Also, if she goes to bed early, you could all walk over to Epcot or the Boardwalk.
Also, depending on how long you are staying, you could always split your stay.
Good luck.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Hmmmmm.... that's a tough one.

I guess my vote is for the YC. The kids will love Stormalong Bay, it's close to more dining options, and more nightlight. The GF is great though... and the monorail would be nice for your mother-in-law, but there isn't as much to do there for the kids so that's why I vote for YC. I would book the water view room and request either a Stormalong Bay or Boardwalk view. That way if your MIL is stuck in the room some days she can look out and see people.

 

[gonga]

I would choose the GF, IMHO for your mother in laws convenience. I am speaking from experience as my father had cancer, he was very tired and needed to take breaks and relax on our last family vacation together. My mother did not want to spring for the extra $$ to be on a monorail hotel, and he was soooooo tired. It would have made all the difference to him to be able to sit on the monorail and go back to a cool comfortable room. Since there is a lot of walking to begin with the added convenience (and luxury) of the GF will be very much appreciated. Also there is a great bar in the GF for drinks and cigars, wonderful restaurants, and the new pool for the kids, which has a slide. No the pool is not as great as SAB, but for this occasion I think the kids will suffice with the new pool at the GF, as I think your MIL needs should come first. I am so sorry to hear anyone sick, espically with cancer. I hope she has a full recovery. It is so wonderful of you to have a family vacation. I also think by choosing the GF your MIL will not feel like she is spoiling anyones fun if she needs to go back to the room, since it will be so convenient for her. She may also enjoy a spa treatment or a maincure/pedicure while there.

I personally love the GF, its one of our fav's! Hope this helps you.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I agree with Gonga... but only if you plan on spending a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom.

With kids the age of yours I imagine you'll be spending most of your time at MGM and Epcot, so that's why I think YC will be easier for your mother-in-law to get back to for a rest. Going from MGM to the GF would require a bus ride, and going from Epcot to the GF would require switching monorails. And that monorail switch is a LONG walk up and down several ramps.

 

[jaysue]

I think YC is the place to go - I think your MIL will have fun time watching the kids enjoying the SAB pool and have fun herself as well especially at Beaches n Cream. Nothing against GF - it is a great hotel but I think your MIL will want to remember the trip watching her grandkids have a good old time

My prayers go out to your family



Thanks
Jason

 

[Hopefully]

I would add a vote for the Yacht Club! It is very elegant and I agree with the others, I think most "Park" time will be spent at Epcot and MGM, both very convenient to the YC. Also lots of dining and nightlife options, as well as SAB which is great for all ages. I do think that you will probably only visit the Magic Kingdom for a day or so, so the convenience of the YC location will be appreciated. I know it is now possible (and easy) to take taxis from all of the resorts around the world- so if waiting for a bus is too tiring for your MIL, that is a viable option. I don't know if they are available leaving the Parks though. Does anyone know? Good Luck in your decision - with either choice you will have a great time!

 

[mom_rules]

I put my vote in for the YC. The boat ride to either Epcot or MGM is comfortable and quite short. The Boardwalk is nice to stroll around in the evening when it's cooler. The pool is awesome-a mini water park. I also suggest you might want to consider renting a wheelchair or a scooter. Definitely makes things more managable and less tiring.

 

[JKLLady]

Another vote for the YC! We've taken my Dad w/us 2x recently (he's 84, w/some mobility problems) & we stayed at YC the first time & BCV in 11/02. We rented him a scooter from Walker Medical (check the disABILITIES board) for the entire stay; they have it waiting for you at baggage services & you leave it back there when you check out. My Dad loves the Epcot resorts & appreciates all the choices for dining & entertainment these resorts offer. Also, he could get on/off the Friendship boats himself & it was easy to head back from Epcot & MGM for him if he was tired. I have a DD, 16 and DS, 6, and they love the YC; it's their favorite! We're DVC members, but DS always asks when we're going to stay at YC again.
GF is pretty, but IMHO, it doesn't hold a candle to YC and all the Epcot resort area has to offer!

 

[DVCPAT]

Both resorts are great. The YC/Boardwalk area has alot of local entertainment which may be an advantage if your inlaws want to spend time at the resort. The kids won't mind hanging around the YC spending down time with the family, the pool is awesome.

The GF is great with the monorail transportation advantage. You might want to look into the illuminations boat cruise. It departs from the YC/Boardwalk. You get a great water view of the show and you dont have to fight the crowd afterwards.

mom_rules suggestion of renting a scooter is great. It will save alot of energy.

 

[SueM in MN]

My DH and I stayed at the YC over New Year's and my vote would be to stay there for all the reasons that the other posters mentioned. If you do decide to go to MK, the bus was fairly quick and we had short waits. If you want to take a taxi to MK, I belive you can get one at the TTC.
We visited the GF, taking the monorail from MK. While you can get off the momorail at the resort at 2nd floor level (or maybe it's third), going to MK involves walking down a very long steep ramp to get down from monorail level to ground level. When you leave the park to go back to your resort, it's a walk back up the ramp.
If she needs a quiet place to lie down and doesn't want to go back to the room, keep in mind First Aid. There is one at each park and they have quiet dimly lit cubicles with privacy curtains and cots.
Here's a list of the off-site places that DIS posters report renting ecvs(scooters) and wheelchairs from:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html
You can often get a wheelchair lent from your resort, but they are first come, first served (not reserved ahead of time). Some DIS posters have reported that what they needed and what was available didn't match up (like extra wide available when they needed a regular adult chair or vice versa).

 

[BrianD]

Thank you all for your responses & advice! This morning I have booked at the Yacht Club (water view) for our stay.

Thank you again!!!

 

[mom_rules]

Congrats-I don't think that you will regret it.

Have fun!

 

[JKLLady]

Great choice BrianD! From the looks of your countdown, we'll be there the same time as you, but we're at BWV this trip. I know how tough it can be for someone on chemo, I went through it w/my Mom. I hope your trip is wonderful & you can make some extra special memories with your MIL!