HELP! AoA or GF ot YC...may loose ADRs?!?

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

I am so torn! The are six of us....me, DH, and our four kids...9,9,9, and 2. We are booked at AoA family suite with Free dining and I just paid it off. Well my friend has a travel agent with a great deal where we could stay ay GF or YC...no free dining but even if paying for food out of pocket I think the total would be about the same. I never imagined we would ever be able to stay Deluxe...ever!!! BUT...there are six of us...would it just be too small? And where would you suggest...GF or YC...AND...most importantly...would I loose all my ADRs since I'm canceling my Disney reservation and changing it? Same dates...but different resort and through a travel agent...I'm so confused and torn? I just don't think we'd ever be able to stay Deluxe again....but AoA looks so nice too!

 

[dansdad]

would I loose all my ADRs since I'm canceling my Disney reservation and changing it?

Nope.

 

[Verstehen]

ADR's should be tied to your name and e-mail, not to your hotel reservation. Although I'm not sure if they are affected by the DDP, so hopefully someone can confirm that. Honestly, I'd go for it. I love the Deluxes and personally wish I could stay there more often. A standard room at the GF and YC can fit 5, so I assume if the 2 year old is in a crib that would be okay.

As for which one you pick, I'd vote depending on the parks you like. Do your kids like MK best? If so, GF is probably your best option. If they like Epcot/HS best, then YC.

But that's me. I had an uncle who stayed at GF a few years ago when they were offering a lot of promotions, and he said he and his family didn't like it as much as they thought they would because it was so "fancy." You've got three little kids who may prefer the theming of AoA over the luxury of GF and YC, so that's also something to consider.

 

[cwt580]

not sure 6 people will fit in room without being a suite of sometype. not a matter of wanting to fit it is whether the room is allowed to accomidate 6.

also dont be too sure about OOP for food for 5/6....since you have adr's already im assuming more than just QS meals.GF meals are some of the most $$$ at WDW. $400 for dinner at one resturant can be a shocker to some....

myself with kids would prefer YC/BC simply because they share ammenities and the pool is awesome. none better in WDW. boat rides or walk to either studios or epcot. Boardwalk at night.


GF is awesome but little ones just dont care for it. mine said feels like grandmas or old folks home.... but location to MK is pretty awesome of itself.

 

[Verstehen]

not sure 6 people will fit in room without being a suite of sometype. not a matter of wanting to fit it is whether the room is allowed to accomidate 6.

True. I wouldn't want OP to break the rules. I just don't know if a 2-year-old "counts" as a 6th person.

 

[Missyrose]

True. I wouldn't want OP to break the rules. I just don't know if a 2-year-old "counts" as a 6th person.

Your 2-year-old doesn't count, and as the likely last trip where they won't count, choose YC. Your older kids will love Stormalong Bay and being able to walk to Epcot and DHS is priceless. Save AoA for the next trip when you'll no longer fit in the standard deluxe room.

 

[akl-fan]

Your 2-year-old doesn't count, and as the likely last trip where they won't count, choose YC. Your older kids will love Stormalong Bay and being able to walk to Epcot and DHS is priceless. Save AoA for the next trip when you'll no longer fit in the standard deluxe room.

This

 

[cwt580]

True. I wouldn't want OP to break the rules. I just don't know if a 2-year-old "counts" as a 6th person.

hard to break the rules. they catch most issues. all persons in rooms need registered . Can affect pool use and kttw cards,dining plans, etc.... if the room not designed for 6 they will let you know when u book it...

2yr old at time of trip? might get lucky with that one. But honestly 6 in 1 room with 1 bath and 4 kids??? OP has more patience than alot of us if she is willing to go for it. GF sits alone with no links to anything without transpo to get there. Pool is just so so. Alot of weddings etc take place there and can interupt things at times.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

You'll fit fine in either YC or GF.

We've stayed at both and loved both.

Don't let anyone tell you that you'll feel out of place with kids. Our kids were 2, 4 and 5 the first time we stayed at the GF.

BC/YC our my favorite resorts and you can walk to EPCOT and take the boat to DHS. GF has the monorail which makes it super easy to get to MK or EPCOT, and they boats to MK.

Look at the pictures and pick which one you like the theming of best. This would be your last chance to stay at GF or YC. Once your little one turns 3 you'll have to go for the family suite at AOA.

Take advantage of the offer now, while you can.

Have a great time!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

hard to break the rules. they catch most issues. all persons in rooms need registered . Can affect pool use and kttw cards,dining plans, etc.... if the room not designed for 6 they will let you know when u book it...

2yr old at time of trip? might get lucky with that one. But honestly 6 in 1 room with 1 bath and 4 kids??? OP has more patience than alot of us if she is willing to go for it. GF sits alone with no links to anything without transpo to get there. Pool is just so so. Alot of weddings etc take place there and can interupt things at times.

Really - my kids loved the GF themed pool when they were little and my youngest one just love the stand alone baby pool. Monorail and boats make transportation pretty easy.

They will not be breaking the rules as long as the youngest is under 3.

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Thanks for the replies. Honestly...I think my kids would Love AoA and don't really see Deluxes as better....we've been to them all to eat and they don't ever say anything like...oh...I want to stay here...but DH and I do! yeah...the last two trips we've stayed at All Star family suites and I really wonder if the Deluxe amenities will be enough to get over the room space? Ugh...decisions!

 

[Grumpymom73]

I would go for the GF. The YC is beautiful, has a great pool and it's a great location, but eating there is not easy. With kids anyway. Especially if you are looking for quick and easy. The YC has no counter service restaurant. You have to go to the BC and depending on where your room is that can be a long walk. Plus I am not a fan of the BC's counter service. Again...IMO. Honestly you will be happy no matter what you choose because they are all great.

Hope you have a great vacation!!!

 

[mariamouse]

What time of year will you be there? If it is during the summer, your kids would likely appreciate the amazing pool at the YC. Do be aware, though, that the pool is quite spread out (more like a mini-water park) and it would be a bit more difficult to keep an eye on all of your kids if they are not strong swimmers. If you prefer Epcot and the Studios to MK, the YC is a no brainer for its proximity to those two parks. One of the other nice things about the YC is that all of the rooms have full balconies.

If you prefer the MK area, I would definitely opt for the GF. It is currently undergoing fairly comprehensive construction, but this may be mostly complete depending on when your dates are. The GF pools are definitely not as exciting as the pool at the YC, but the GF has a lot of other things going for it-- monorail/boat access to the Poly/CR/MK, easy counter service, beautiful grounds, view of the castle from the marina/boat dock, fantastic restaurant options, impressive lobby w/orchestra, better garden view room views and-- most importantly-- slightly larger rooms than the YC!

I would always prefer to be somewhat squished in a deluxe resort room than have space at a value/mod, but that is JMO. Only you know what is best, but, with young kids, I would personally snatch up the GF without hesitation!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you have any interest in using the pool, go with YC. Stormalong Bay is AMAZING!!!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Oh this is such a hard decision!! Question about GF transportation....can we get to Epcot by monorail too a. Also, is there counter service there?...fridge in room?

 

[sndral]

Yes, take the resort monorail to the TTC, get off, go over to the Epcot monorail and hop on - love that ride, swooshing along. Rinse and repeat to get back.

 

[Missyrose]

Oh this is such a hard decision!! Question about GF transportation....can we get to Epcot by monorail too a. Also, is there counter service there?...fridge in room?

You can take the resort monorail loop to the TTC and transfer to the Epcot monorail there.

I don't believe there is a CS at GF, but there is a pool bar that sells sandwiches and Grand Floridian Cafe is a pretty casual TS.

All deluxe rooms have a fridge in the room.

 

[Grumpymom73]

Oh this is such a hard decision!! Question about GF transportation....can we get to Epcot by monorail too a. Also, is there counter service there?...fridge in room?

To get to Epcot you would take the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then transfer to the Epcot monorail.

Yes, they have a counter service. It's called Gasparilla's Grill and Games. The arcade is located there too. Hence the Games in the name. If you do a internet search you can see the menu.

Yes, they do have a frig in the room.

 

[sndral]

If it were Christmas and I was staying club and thus in the main resort building I would opt for the GF. I've always thought GF is one resort I would not want to stay @ unless I was staying club, since so many of the rooms (including all of the rooms in the main building) are club.
If it were fall and thus more likely to be swimming weather I would opt for YC/BC for SAB - very easy to walk/boat back for midafternoon swim breaks from 2 parks. No real CS is a definate negative @ YC/BC - but once Epcot is open there's a billion cs choices just a few steps away (closer than some buildings are to the food court in the larger moderates, IMO.) Pastries at France, fish and chips in England, food court at the Land.
After your 2 year old turns 3 you will have outgrown the ability to stay in 1 deluxe room, so I'd do it now, as it's a dream of yours, while you can.

 

[Haley]

* You can fit 5 people in a room plus someone under age 3, although it will be tight.
* You won't lose your dining reservations if you cancel/change your reservation.
* Free Dining should be the best deal for a party of your size in 1 room...I'd be leary of any "great deal" that a travel agent found- Disney doesn't have any secret deals-- there's codes available to the general public or AAA discount. Free Dining for 5 people should be a better deal though even at a deluxe....so I would look into that....