Help!! First trip!!!

disneymidwife

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May 2, 2008
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I've gone back and forth a thousand times deciding between the WL or ASMu family suite for Dec 7-13th. Is the WL (Deluxe Club room) worth $2300 more than the family suites at all star?:confused3 We have 3 adults (my mom) and 3 children plus baby--other suggestions for resorts:confused3 :confused3 Please help!!!
 
I have never stayed at ASM, but from the ages of your children the closeness and the easy of getting to MK would oh so outweigh the cost. From WL, you can get to MK by ferry boat or bus. You are there in about 5 minutes. THen from there you can hop the monorail over to Epcot. Of course you can always take the bus from the resort to HS or AK. From ASM you must always take a bus. Personally staying at WL would be my choice. And staying in the club level you will get snacks, drinks, and if it is like the club level at AK you can almost even use it for dinner each night.
 
With so many in your party, you may also consider staying in a Ft Wilderness cabin. They have all the perks of a room (like mousekeeping), but have a bedroom with a double bed and bunk beds plus a murphy bed in the "living" area. (plus a full kitchen) It is a little remote with a boat to MK, but it would be more spacious for you.
 
I love the WL and it is oneof the most beautiful resorts on site. I have never stayed at the club level so therefore I could not state if it is worth the $2300additional to stay there. For me, I would have to ask the question am I really willing to shell out the additional expense. To me WL is a retreat within the DW property and IMO I believe that adults love the lodge, theming and ease of getting to MK without getting on a bus. Will young kids love the WL probably not as much as they will love ASMu. The AS are geared for the enjoyment of the kids and I would think having the larger rooms would be a help but you'll have that longer bus ride to the parks and a longer line waiting for the bus back to AS as well. It comes down to the question of expense, time and if your choosing this vacation for adults to enjoy to fullest extent. I don't think you'll enjoy your vaca any less at either one but you can always save the money (should you choose to stay at ASMu) for a future vaca as your kids will want to return in the near future. Have a great time and don't just make the decision, everyone will enjoy their time there.
 

The Family Suites start at $184 a night duing value season.
Most of the Disney resorts (excluding DVC) charge extra for more than 2 adults in a room.
The Family Suites do not charge extra for extra adults.
1-6 adults can stay in the Family Suites for the same et price.
The Family Suites have discounts available also so if you keep your eyes open you just may snag a great deal.

---------------------------------------------

Family Suite info:

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) in Sept. of 2006.

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

ASMusic_FamSuite_layout.jpg


They:

-Sleep up to 6 (plus one child under age 3 in a Pak-n-Play crib)
-Studio amenities and separate sleeping areas giving more privacy than a standard room.
-Queen bed, full-size pullout sofa, convertible ottoman & chair sleepers (4 separate sleepers)
-Private master bedroom and family room have 27” flat CRT TV and high speed Internet access.
-Kitchenette with microwave, small refrigerator (4.3 cu. ft) and coffee pot
-Two-full bathrooms


Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!:wizard:


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Layouts of rooms that sleep 6:

Wilderness_Lodge_Deluxe_Room.gif

WL jr. Suite

CSRJRSUITE.jpg

CSR jr. Suite

_BoardWalk-DL-ROOM-LR.jpg

BW room that sleeps 6

Fort_Wilderness-CABIN-LR.gif

FW Cabin

ASMusic_FamSuite_layout.jpg


Family Suites at All Star Music.
 
If you were not planning DDP, my vote would have been for Deluxe Club @ WL. But if you are having the DDP, you will be stuffed if you tried to get "your money worth" from club level. If you weren't doing the DDP, the food offerings at the WL lounge would have helped you to save some $$$ on food.

We have stayed at WL Club Level several times and I love it! But we don't do the DP at all. We utitlize the breakfast, snacks, appetizers (which were so good that sometimes it was our actual dinner), desserts and drinks.

I would look into either renting DVC points if you can get a dvc reservation for a 2-bedroom suite - the OKW 2B Suite is huge and would be a lot of room for your group - or try what others have said: FW or go with AS Family Suites.

Have fun deciding!
 
We've been to WDW when our DD was 2 and 3 years old, and for us the proximity to the parks (and on the way back with a tired toddler who needed a nap) took first priority. I think it depends on your family needs. We always returned to our hotel for some pool time and a nap in the middle of the day and then went back to the parks at night. If you are staying on the bus system, that is alot of travel time with little ones. Some kids can sleep anywhere, anytime -- it just depends on what you are looking for.

BTW, with the DDP and Club Level accomodations you would be paying alot of money for way more food than you could possibly eat, just another thing to consider.

Hope this helps!
 
I would 2nd the recommendation for renting points at a DVC resort. We just returned today from a week at WDW, 5 nights in a 1BR at OKW, then 2 nights at the Wilderness Lodge.

We LOVED the 1BR, it was so relaxing to be able to spread out and not feel on top of each other.

With a full kitchen, it was easy cook breakfast every morning, and we made a couple of easy dinners too. Not so much for the cost savings, but because DD9 is very very picky, and it was relaxing for the whole family to make a couple of favorite easy meals instead of gearing up for another restaurant meal and struggling to find something she will eat.

The Wilderness Lodge is very nice, we enjoyed it too. the boat to the MK is a nice change from busses.
 
I really not looking for the club level amenities, but it is the only room at WL that will hold our party. I am debating if I stay there to only do the dp vs the ddp, but I really want to do character breakfasts each morning. I'm so confused:confused:
Also I considered FW cabins, but my DH doesn't like the idea. :cool2: :laughing:
 
We got club level last Dec at Contemporary (it was a WISH :) we would never pay for it though (too much $$). We definitely took advantage of the morning snacks, afternoon and then evening appetizers (we were only there 2 nights, no DDP). I wouldnt book club level if you are doing the DDP. What about 2 rooms? That should be value season so 2 of the cheapest rooms is about $450 right? Thats less than club level deluxe I think?
 
I would certainly think that a 2 bedroom at the villas at wilderness lodge would be worth investigating for availability either through standard reservations or as a rental from a member (this is a bit of a tough time to get a DVC rental though). Rack rate is $ 610 /night or $4270 for a week without a discount. It would take 270 points so that would be between $2700 and $3240 if you get a reasonable deal. Just remember on points if you want daily housekeeping it would be a costly extra. There is also some learning curve on renting points for a reservation, See DVC section.

bookwormde
 
$2300 is a lot of extra money just to stay at the Wilderness....now don't get me wrong I love WL but I think I would have to say ASMu - your children are young and I think they would enjoying the theme of the ASMu much more. Have a great trip!
 
$2300 is a lot of extra money just to stay at the Wilderness....now don't get me wrong I love WL but I think I would have to say ASMu - your children are young and I think they would enjoying the theme of the ASMu much more. Have a great trip!

I agree.
In fact All Star Music is my favorite Disney owned resort.

Here are a few reasons :



1. I can book a preferred room location..( The Calypso buildings are preferred and they are the closest to the main pool ,food court and bus stop. They cost an $10 extra a night and in my opinion they are well worth it.)

*Please Note:
The Family Suites are located in the Calypso and Jazz Inn buildings. Those buildings are the nearest to the main pool, food court, and the bus stop .
That means less walking at the resort for you and your family!



The way All Star Music is laid out it "seems" smaller than most of the other Disney resorts. If I stay in a preferred building I only see the Calypso and Jazz builings on the way to and from the main pool and the bus stop and food court. Since I stay in preferred room I know I am going to be close to the food court, bus stop, & main pool.

2. I enjoy the theming at the All Stars. All Star Music is also is the quietest of the values.

3. The bus service at the All Star Music is very good. Since I use an ECV good bus transportation is essential.

4. The entry at the values and Mods are much more Handicap friendly.
I am able to get in and out of my All Star room unassisted. This way my husband can go and play a round of golf and know I can leave my room to relax by the pool if I choose.
--------------------------------------------------

All Star Music is my favorite resort. It tends to be the quietest of all the values.


All Star Music just underwent a refurbishment of all of the rooms and was completed in June 2007.


Here is a website with photos of the newly refurbished rooms at All Star Music.

Look at the Jazz Inn section with new posted:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_asmu.htm




---------------------------------------------------------


DH and I enjoy the landscaping and peacefulness of All Star Music.
We enjoy relaxing by the pool (there are plenty of chairs and lounges), and the beautiful lighting at the resort by night.

------------------------------------


I love The All Star Resorts.

I am 56 years old and travel several times a yearfor pleasure. I often stay at 3and 4 star and sometimes a 5 star hotels and motels.
So the deluxe and mod resorts are just another hotel/motel to me.
Staying at an All Star is like being in the heart of the Magic and that is where I want to be.

All Star Music is my favorite. It is quieter because more couples stay there. I love staying at the Calypso building. It is closer to the pool, food court and bus stop.

Here is a site with a map of All Star Sports and All Star Music.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/allstarmap.htm
Scroll down. All Star Music is at the bottom of the page.
The Calypso buildings at All Star Music are #1 and #10 are nearest to the food court and bus stop.

The Calypso pool at ASMu has Donald Duck.

The buses are wonderful.

Bus rides are quite short from the ALL Stars according to PassPorter.com

All Star Buses-CBR buses---POPbuses--PO buses--- Contemporary
MK 20 min---- 20 min-----25 min------10 min---20 min(mono)
Epcot 10 min-- 15 min-----20 min------10 min---15 min
MGM 10 min----12 min-----15 min------15 min---20min
AK 10 min------20min-------15 min----15 min---20 min
DTD 15 min----20 min------20 min-----15 min---35 min

It only takes 10 minutes to get to Epcot, MGM and AK from All Stars.
MK is listed as 20 min away. That's the same amount of time it takes on the monorail from the Contemporary.


*Please Note:
In my experience the bus rides are usually 3-6 minutes shorter than the listed times. Perhaps the authors posted the ride times during heavy traffic so the actual times would be less in most cases.


A WORD ABOUT BUS SHARING

To me Bus Sharing at the All Stars is really a non issue.

In the mornings during Park opening hours each All Star usually has a dedicated bus.
During mid day it is usually just our stop and maybe one more on the way to the parks. On the way back sometimes it is all 3 but often Sports and Movies share and Music has it's own bus back. Each of the All Stars usually has it's own dedicated bus back from the MK.
That is a big plus. It seems like the Music bus stop usually has the shortest of the three All Star bus lines.

I guess some people who stay at POP see all 3 All Star names on the return sign of our bus stop when they head to the POP bus stop and think All Stars also has 3 stops on the way to the park.
(Even when we stop at another AS resort to load up it has not taken more than 5 minutes and we are on our way!)

The pools at The All Stars are very kid friendly.

When staying at the All Stars you can use any of the All Star pools.That means 3 main pools ,3 quiet pools and 3 kiddie pools to chose from.

The All Star Movie Fantasia pool has Mickey.

The Calypso pool at ASMU has Donald Duck.

And the Surfs up pool at All Star Sports has giant surf boards.

Here are a few pool photos.

astar3.jpg


All Star Sports pool.

allstar-music2_lg.jpg

All Star Music Donald pool.

asmv20.jpg


All Star Movies Mickey Pool.

I have visited WDW more than a dozen times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. It was brand new. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. I just prefer the All Star Resorts.
The theming is pure Disney.

My last 6 visits have been at The All Stars and during the fall of 2005 when we took dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3(at the time) for 8 nights we stayed at the All Stars Music. I thought about AKL and even though we can well afford AKL I just wanted Alex to experience the Disney Magic :wizard: at the All Stars on his first visit.
Where else can one find Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse at the pool?

Have fun at Disney!
 
Thanks for all of the great information about ASMu. Do you think I can make early morning character breakfasts from ASMu without a car?
 
It's possible to use bus transportation to a character breakfast but what were you thinking of? Princess breakfast before a park opens kind of deal? Worst case scenario you call for a "van cab" and budget $25 fare to get you there so you don't have to hassle with a car rental for just one thing.
 
I'm actually hoping for Princess Dining , Crystal Palace, and CRT early morning ADRs. When I called transportation they said any ADRs that I could book, I could get to as long as I gave myself enough time. I am staying at ASMo in Sept for free dining (I called to ask before setting my ADRs for Sept trip.) :confused3 Do you know if this is true, because a lot of the post suggest needing to find your own transportation?
 
The buses may not be running yet for you to take them if you are getting super early ADRs so you would need to arrange for your own transportation. Buses typically start running 1 hour prior to park opening as general rule of thumb. I'm just not a early morning mover so I tend to take the path of least resistance....cab. You can always do bus transportation back to your resort. Budget 1 full hour for bus transportation no matter what!

I wouldn't rush to go to Crystal Palace. This would be okay for a little later so you can use the bus transportation.

There is something special about walking through MK with it being so empty so maybe book the earliest time possible in MK and budget for a cab accordingly for that one.

The Storybook Princess in Epcot is not something you must get there early to enjoy either. I would even consider making this a brunch event and go around 10:30 a.m.

HTH! :wave:
 

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