Help! Confused 1st time trip wo WDW

[Just keep swimming]

I am sorry to post another thread about being confused where to stay. We are planning our first trip to WDW! Yeahhh. We have been researching online and read The unofficial guide to WDW. We found a lot of helpful tips but still are more confused than ever on where to stay.

We will be traveling with our 5 year old son and our 12 year old daughter on a seven day trip. We want to get the most out of our trip but we cant afford an arm and a leg. Orignally we were looking at the Coronadoor Port Orleans. Then we found out if my wife is a teacher and will get a great discount at the Dolphin or Swan. We want this to be something to remember. We know want to be close to the attractions because we will probably will be making trips back and forth from hotel to the attractions for rests or swimming. Our kids love to swim and I know they would want a great pool.

Anyone with ANY input would be helpful!!! What hotel do you recomend? Which ones have the best kid amenities??

Help before I lose my mind!!!!
I really appreacite you taking the time to answer!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm assuming that you mean Port Orleans French Quarter or Riverside. Coronado Springs is a whole different resort. But it sure is easy to get confused when you first start planning!!! I have stayed at Riverside twice now. The pool area is terrific and the theming is good. Food court is good and there are bikes to rent. Arcade is nice. Bus transportation to the parks is good. I had no complaints there. I've never stayed at the Swan or the Dolphin. But, I have friends that do and they love it. The pool area is terrific from what I hear. It isn't nearly as 'Disney' as the actual Disney resorts but you get a really nice hotel for a good price if you get the teacher rate. If you decide to go with the teacher rate, try and book as soon as possible since the rooms do get booked early. The Swan/Dolphin are also quite close to both Epcot and MGM. You can walk to both. It's about a 10 minute walk to Epcot and 15-20 to MGM. I don't know anything about the bus transportation to MK or AK from there tho. But, I'm sure it's fine. Have fun planning. And welcome to the boards!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hey, Just Keep Swimming!!

Welcome to the boards! I have not stayed at the Swan or Dolphin, but I have stayed at POR (used to be called Dixie Landings) and it is a wonderful resort! You do have to take WDW buses to everything, but they run about every 20 minutes. If you are on a budget, this is a great resort! Beautiful landscaping and a really fun pool called "Ol' Man Island."

There are lots of fans of Swan/Dolphin on these boards, just look around for their posts. I have eaten at one of the restaurants there, and they are beautiful, just not as "Disney" as the WDW resorts.

I don't know what time of year you are expecting to go, but if you keep looking on mousesavers.com you may be able to get a good discount code. If so, you might look into one of the MK resorts, as that is probably where you will spend the most time. The Poly is a wonderful, monorail resort, and the Wilderness Lodge has good MK access by boat.

Good luck, and have fun planning your trip!!!

 

[Candice30]

If you are thinking of Coronado Springs. It is a nice resort and the buses didn't take any longer than the other moderate resort buses to reach the parks. The resort was nice and the grounds beautiful. Despite this, in my opinion, things were a little to spread out for me. We stayed in the Casitas and for my family, it was a little long of a walk to go to the food court for coffee or to the pool. Though if you don't mind this, the pool was fantastic and the kids loved the slide! They also liked that they could get there refillable mugs filled at the snack bar at the pool which made it easy to quench their thirst on a hot day.

 

[Dismom63]

Welcome!! You are in for a great trip which ever place you decide. I have stayed at 2 of the moderates (POR used to be called Dixie Landings - so it is the same) and next trip was able to get the teacher rate at the Dolphin. I had to book that rate very early!! There were several times I tried to get that rate and that block of rooms was gone!
Let's face it - we teachers have to travel at peak times!
Have you ruled out Carribean Beach? It is a great moderate!
Don't skip Animal Kingdom (AK) - this is such a different and unique park!
Good luck and keep posting those questions - it helps the rest of us pass the minutes till our next trips!

 

[Mercy]

Hi, welcome to the DIS!

If you qualify for a discount at the Swan/Dolphin, then I say go for it! We have stayed at the Dolphin and loved it there, matter of fact we are going back again this summer.

It is a beautiful hotel, in a very good location. You can walk to Epcot and even MGM from there, but they also have a boat to take you to both. You can ride the bus systems for MK and Animal Kingdom and all other places. I would not hesitate to stay there. With the ages of your children I would choose the Dolphin over the Swan, as there are better restaurant choices there and the laundry is also located in the Dolphin.

Hope this helps.

 

[speedyf]

When are you planning on going to WDW?

I can't really give any advice since I haven't been in about 10 years.

However, based on the past.....last year, Disney ran Annual Pass Holder discounts for Apr 28th thru July 3rd. The rate for a moderate resort (Port Orleans, Carribbean Beach, Coronado Springs) was $74 per night.

From what I've seen....the Dolphin/Swan teacher rate usually runs anywhere between $129 to $144 per night.

I can't tell you the difference between the two because I've never stayed at either. From the posts I've read, the Swan/Dolphin is more like a Disney deluxe than it is a moderate. All of the moderates seem to have nice pools. The moderates all have nice waterslides and themed pools.

Now for my suggestion.....if possible, I would book the Dolphin/Swan at the teacher rate. When the codes come out, if you are able to get a better rate on a moderate and you feel comfortable staying there.....make a reservation for the moderate at the cheaper price and then go back and cancel the Dolphin/Swan reservation.

Of course....this all depends on when you are going to Disney and it all depends on what type of discounts Disney may or may not release in the coming days and weeks.

speedyf

 

[MK Familystone]

HI!
We have stayed at the MK resorts until the children were 10 years old based on the attractions of the MK vs MGM and Epcot but as of lately MGM and AK are becoming more attractive for the younger age.
Based on your price range I would opt for Swan/Dolphin with the Teacher discount. The Swan has Queen size beds vs doubles at the Dolphin.
The Dolphin has the better pool .
The Central location of both makes going to MGM and Epcot easy travel by boat or walking.
Plus Boardwalk and Beach Club are like attractions is nearby.
Join Starwaood preferred members and then call the res at Swan/Dolphin at 1-800-227-1500 and mention your a teacher.
If you are going during aniversary or birthday tell them in the reservation, they did something special for us.
ENJOY!
"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!