Had to down grade

[2MoreAllens2Love]

I am not saying anything bad about the All Stars but I was planning our first trip with DH and DD (4) in December 12-18 at POR. It will be everyones first trip and we wanted to make DD feel like she is still special because I just brought ID twins into the family (with DH help hehe) after a very rough pregnancy and all the attention being on them. She is so very excited to meet the pricesses and if we cant afford this down grade from POR to prob ASMo then we prob. wont go until the twins are 4-5. I am really buggin. I really want us to go. Will I still be able to relax?

 

[Shell0616]

Which Allstars are you going to? We have stayed twice at Music and had a great time both trips. We were not kept up at night and I dont really remember hearing anyone outside or in the rooms next to us. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

First, congrats on the new babies and your growing family. My ID twins are 26 now with families of their own. Are your twins boys or girls?

We have stayed at the values a number of times. No problems what so ever. We really liked ASSp on our last trip. We have also stayed at POP and that has been really great too. No worries. If it helps you to afford to go, downgrade. You will still have a great time.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

We have stayed at All Star Movies and really liked it. Go with a positive attitude and remember WDW is better than no WDW. We are going back in Oct. 2008.

 

[poohandwendy]

At the age of 4, I can't imagine she would feel more 'special' at one resort than another, especially since she has never seen any of them.

The best advice I think anyone can give you is to not stress so much about all of the particulars, go expecting a great time and you will have it. Your DD will LOVE WDW, I promise. You are not downgrading, you are making the best choice for your family at this time. All of the resorts are filled with magic, don't look at this change as a negative! What would be negative is if you placed stress on your family by staying somewhere that placed a financial burden on your family.

Also, with 3 young children- especially young twins- please do yourself a favor and plan on taking a mid-day break so that you do not end up having vacation burn out a few days in. This cannot be stressed enough. On first trips, there is SOOOO much to see, it's overwhelming, lots of walking and crowds, and it's easy to overdo it trying to cram it all in. Every day, go back to the resort when you start feeling beat and take a few hours to relax, it will make your evening back at the parks so much more enjoyable.

I wish you a wonderful, magical trip...I am sure it won't be your last!!!

 

[Cinders Mum]

Try not to worry about it, you will have a ball, you're in WDW, how bad can it get?

Honestly though, a couple of years ago we were booked into French Quarter and after 2 days, I opted to downgrade, and moved to Music and had a ball. I just didn't feel the resort at all (POFQ), and instantly relaxed the minute we arrived at the All Stars.

Enjoy

Val
xx

 

[Holly]

We've stayed at all levels of WDW resorts and are DVC members. To this day- my kids ask when we are going back to the All Star Movies resort.

The theming at the All Star resorts is out of this world, and while they may not have a few things that a moderate may have had- a four year old won't notice.

 

[maddiemouse]

at ASMo, and absolutely loved it. The 5 and 7 year old kids in our party did too. We had six people in our group ranging in age from 5 to 79 years old, and we all agreed. The theming is great, the staff is super friendly and helpful, the rooms are clean, quiet and comfortable.
Every time we returned to the resort on the bus and the announcement said "Welcome home!" I felt I was.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I think you will all have a great time. To a 4 yr old, the giant icons are more of a wow than some of the amenities at the mods and deluxes. You may miss them...but I doubt she will know the difference. Select the one with the theming that best suits your daughter and she will be delighted to see those larger than life movie characters or whatever.

 

[ucancallmeflower]

We've stayed at Movies 3x and music once and actually think it's nicer than the Carribean Beach resort. Everything was easier to get to and more kid oriented. Movies and Pop are the newest but all are great! Have a great time! Have you seen the latest discounts for the rooms?

 

[PixiePop]

We have stayed at the All Star Movies and Sports and really enjoyed it. They actually have great theming for younger children.

Go and enjoy it!

 

[jcanary]

The value resorts are great. Don't hestitate to stay at one. Also to save money there are a lot of refridgerator swaps for free that are going on. That can also save you money on breakfasts, etc. Enjoy!!!

 

[2MoreAllens2Love]

At the age of 4, I can't imagine she would feel more 'special' at one resort than another, especially since she has never seen any of them.

The best advice I think anyone can give you is to not stress so much about all of the particulars, go expecting a great time and you will have it. Your DD will LOVE WDW, I promise. You are not downgrading, you are making the best choice for your family at this time. All of the resorts are filled with magic, don't look at this change as a negative! What would be negative is if you placed stress on your family by staying somewhere that placed a financial burden on your family.

Also, with 3 young children- especially young twins- please do yourself a favor and plan on taking a mid-day break so that you do not end up having vacation burn out a few days in. This cannot be stressed enough. On first trips, there is SOOOO much to see, it's overwhelming, lots of walking and crowds, and it's easy to overdo it trying to cram it all in. Every day, go back to the resort when you start feeling beat and take a few hours to relax, it will make your evening back at the parks so much more enjoyable.

I wish you a wonderful, magical trip...I am sure it won't be your last!!!

Maybe I am being selfish but after being bedridden since February I want a place where I can "get away" like in the hot tub or the piano bar. I may be fooling myself with that though. I have to have the hopper pass to come and go from the parks, don't I? That is one way we are trying to save $$, by buying the basic ticket. The twins will be staying at Nana's this trip so we can give Katrina all of the attention she didn't get when I was on bed rest. And it def won't be our last.

ucancallmefolwer - I didn't know there was a discount on value resorts.

I think I am going to try and stay at Movies since DD loves the dalmations or POP since they have cheaper tax.

I have twin girls - Jana and Clara they had TTTS and Clara survived on only 1/5 of the placenta. Most babies have to have at least 1/3.

 

[boomhauer]

I am not saying anything bad about the All Stars but I was planning our first trip with DH and DD (4) in December 12-18 at POR. It will be everyones first trip and we wanted to make DD feel like she is still special because I just brought ID twins into the family (with DH help hehe) after a very rough pregnancy and all the attention being on them. She is so very excited to meet the pricesses and if we cant afford this down grade from POR to prob ASMo then we prob. wont go until the twins are 4-5. I am really buggin. I really want us to go. Will I still be able to relax?

If this makes you feel any better, we stayed at POR for the 1st time in July. I've stayed at ASMovies many times, and if I won a free trip to Disney and had to chose between those 2 resorts, I'd chose ASMovies without thinking twice abuot it.

 

[dburg30]

I have to have the hopper pass to come and go from the parks, don't I?

You have to have hoppers to go to DIFFERENT parks on the same day, but you dont have to have them to go back to the same park on the same day.

If you start in magic kingdom, then go back for a break and go back to magic kingdom, a regular non hopping will allow that. IF you want to start at MGM THEN go to MK on the same day then yes you will need hoppers.

 

[2MoreAllens2Love]

If this makes you feel any better, we stayed at POR for the 1st time in July. I've stayed at ASMovies many times, and if I won a free trip to Disney and had to chose between those 2 resorts, I'd chose ASMovies without thinking twice abuot it.

That helps us out so much. Well the planner (me) anyways.

 

[2MoreAllens2Love]

You have to have hoppers to go to DIFFERENT parks on the same day, but you dont have to have them to go back to the same park on the same day.

If you start in magic kingdom, then go back for a break and go back to magic kingdom, a regular non hopping will allow that. IF you want to start at MGM THEN go to MK on the same day then yes you will need hoppers.

Now the mud is clearing thanks.

 

[lori1043]

Okay, as far as the DD goes, ASm is THE way to go!! For you -there is a nice little hammock across the other side of the pool from the big food court/entrance/check in building. It is hidden-ish, and has a pretty view(tree-sy, like an alcove, w/ Donald Duck). I went there nightly after we got the kids in bed. And since it was cool, I had a hot chocolate when I went there!!!

I stayed at POR once and ( I don't want to make others feel badly), I did not like it. It was big, I got lost daily (we were in the back, I guess), and it did not feel "Disney" to me. It was a nice hotel though- very pretty and clean. I guess b/c I have stayed at ASm and ASsp and FW, I just am happier at the value ones-besides-you can get GREAT prices and save money to spend elsewhere. We have an AAA price of $65.60 for Feb. per night. And looking for lower through AP, or Disney Visa, etc.

She WILL feel like a princess-no doubt!! I have 2 !!-Lori

 

[2MoreAllens2Love]

Okay, as far as the DD goes, ASm is THE way to go!! For you -there is a nice little hammock across the other side of the pool from the big food court/entrance/check in building.

I stayed at POR once and ( I don't want to make others feel badly), I did not like it. It was big, I got lost daily (we were in the back, I guess), and it did not feel "Disney" to me. We have an AAA price of $65.60 for Feb. per night. And looking for lower through AP, or Disney Visa, etc.

AS movies or music? I guess Donald is in movies? i think I will change my ressie to ASMo and hope to get the Dalmation building. Thanks for your feedback. I am looking at about 1,500, does that sound about right? What is Disney Visa, Credit Card? I WOULD like to spend money elsewhere so I think we may go that route.

 

[lori1043]

AS movies or music? I guess Donald is in movies? i think I will change my ressie to ASMo and hope to get the Dalmation building. Thanks for your feedback. I am looking at about 1,500, does that sound about right? What is Disney Visa, Credit Card? I WOULD like to spend money elsewhere so I think we may go that route.

Movies-sorry! and, yes, a credit card-but AAA is the way to go so far. If you book, and want a preferred room they will charge you $10-ish more per night if you ask for the Dalmations building, BUT if you ask for the back of the Dalmation building, it is not preferred. But JUST as close to elevators and stairs. I am doing this at POP next Feb and did it for ASMo last time.
YES- you can go to WDW for 2 adults and 1 child for $1500. We went w/ 2 adults and 2 kids for right at $2000-including everything-EVERYTHING down to gas, stroller rental every day and souvenirs. It was for 5 nights, 5 day PH through DH job(he gets a discount).

Have fun!!!
Lori

Oh and I wanted to tell you also, that I would get 2 adjoining rooms at the values before going to POR with a bigger family or when my DD's get older and we need more room. Now, I can tell you that my ultimate Disney experience would be to stay at the Poly!! But I refuse to spend that kind of money on a place to sleep!!