Help me choose a resort and need advice -June 2022

[realhousewife]

We haven’t been to Disney since Jan 2-5 , 2020. I swore we would not go back due to the wall to wall crowds and terribly long waits. It was a bit traumatizing.
Now my son wants to go as a graduation present- party of 4.
Kids are 22,19, and 13, and me. I am willing to pay to get on flight of passage and rise of the resistance, and genie plus sounds good in theory- but I have to research it more- will I spend the whole day with my eyes on the app rebooking ride tim

our choices per travel agent are All Star Music (we have stayed thee several times and it is fine. We spend little time at hotel anyway), Coronado springs, and French quarter.

my biggest concern is bus service to/from the parks and parking at the hotel (we are driving in rather than flying).

I am familiar with all stars and you can’t beat the price. is parking still free at the hotel?

Can anyone share any info on the other resorts?

Coronado has horrible reviews on Trip Advisor which are turning me off.

it may be nice to have a pool to dip into in the afternoons.

Finally, does Disney still do the popcorn bucket refills for $2? Should I bring my bucart?

are crowd calendars a thing anymore? Can anyone share a link?

 

[chris benton]

First off, I'd delegate some of this research to the kids.

I'd suggest getting on youtube for video tours and reviews of any resorts. Disney Food Blog and Allears have done a lot of the heavy lifting for you. There are plenty of other youtubers and websites as well. You'll probably be able to judge which pools you like better, too.

- Bus service won't be too different at any of 'em. Maybe just length of the ride to some parks will be different.
- If you are wanting to post up a challenge for beating the price at All Stars, just post your quoted price and time frame. You might be very surprised.
- Crowd calendars are still a thing, but take them with a huge grain of salt, Lots of people are coming out of the woodwork with money falling out of their pockets after being cooped up. I'd expect this summer to be absolutely NUTS. Just do a web search for "wdw crowd calendar" - you'll see the usual suspects like TouringPlans, wdwprepschool, and undercovertourist.

P.S. - Delegate. It might get them amped up to be playing a bigger role in planning. They might even work...(GASP!) together!

 

[momz]

I know it’s not on your list. But consider Pop Century. The sky liner is the best thing that has happened for transportation ever…imo

 

[henry72]

Parking is no longer free at Disney hotels.

I've never stayed at any of the value resorts - only Caribbean Beach and Animal Kingdom (and soon Wilderness Lodge in June). I agree that you can get a lot of good info Disney Food Blog and All Ears on the different hotels.

Yes, I believe the popcorn buckets are still only $2 to refill them. If you have a bucket, bring it.