Help me choose !!

[jondvl]

We are trying to decide which resort to stay at. Just when we think we have it figured out we keep looking and find something about another resort we liked. There will be 5 of us(2 adults 3 kids).

We are in a toss up between All Star Music family Suite, Port Orleans Riverside and then there is a reach for the Contemporary. At first we thought POR because the grounds seemed a lot nicer the ASMu, then we did not like the rustic looking furniture in the rooms but how long will we actually be in the rooms.

The Contemp. would be nice if wecan get one of the cheaper rooms but we are not ready to make our reservation yet for 2010.

Which resort would pick and why?

Thanks everyone for your input ahead of time.

 

[robinb]

Since you don't like the looks of Alligator Bayou at POR and the Contemporary is "a stretch", I would stick with the Family Suites at the All Stars. This is your first trip and you will LOVE it! Plus, if you save some money now you can go again sooner. Most people who come to the DIS to discuss their "Trip of a Lifetime" return to WDW for another trip .

 

[dizct]

It would be helpful to know which park you'll be focusing on. Our kids are MK age so we stay at the CR for the easy access to MK and relative affordability compared to the other monorail resorts (plus it's just a plain fun resort). If you're going to be spending more time at the MK than other parks, then go for the stretch at the CR as you can easily sleep 5 there and it's a killer location. We always take the less expensive lagoon view room in the tower. You can walk to the end of the hall and watch Wishes from a balcony there and then go back to your room and watch the Electric Light Parade from your balcony. Sunrise from your balcony over the lagoon is beautiful too. We're not there during the day to look at the MK from the more expensive MK view rooms. If you are going to focus on other parks, save some $ and go for one of the other resorts you mentioned. We've never stayed at either so I don't have an opinion on them other than, at least at POR you have access to DTD via boat for dinners. Good luck!

 

[tlenzendorf]

For 5 people what about the cabins at Ft Wilderness? At first I was skeptical, but then after reading more and more about it we were hooked. Can't wait to go in August!

 

[tinkbyday]

I have only stayed at POR and honestly, there wasn't much we liked about it. We had a bad experience from the time we checked in and we were thankful that it was only 2 nights that we had to stay there (we had transferred from WL).

If those were my options, I would probably go for the stretch and stay at the CR.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Contemporary and if cost is an issue go with a Garden Wing room because they are less expensive then either view in the Tower and their guest rooms are among the biggest of any of the resorts located on WDW property. Besides that I would bet with 3 kids you want to plan a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom, so with the Contemporary being within walking distance of it that means another reason to stay there.

 

[YayDisney!]

We LOVED Port Orleans...but we stayed in the mansions. We did walk back to the bayou buildings, though, and loved the rustic look. When comparing the values to the moderates, I much prefer the moderates if budget allows. They are quieter and more relaxing. I cannot vouch for the Contemporary, but we love to visit the restaurants there. It's a a lovely resort.

 

[robinb]

I would go with the Contemporary ...

What a shocker . Don't get me wrong, I adore the CR and it's killing me that I can't buy at BLT but I don't think paying for a deluxe is really the right thing in this situation. The OP says that staying at CR is "a stretch" and IMO there is no compelling reason for her to spend so much more just to stay there. We're talking about $100 more per night to be in a Garden Wing 436 square foot room v/s a 520 square foot Family Suite in the All Stars. Of course, it's up to the OP whether she wants to spend that much extra to be able to walk to the MK. However, I've had very few problems taking the bus to/from the MK and I have stayed at all of the Value resorts.

 

[Jane-in-PA]

Since you don't like the looks of Alligator Bayou at POR and the Contemporary is "a stretch", I would stick with the Family Suites at the All Stars. This is your first trip and you will LOVE it! Plus, if you save some money now you can go again sooner. Most people who come to the DIS to discuss their "Trip of a Lifetime" return to WDW for another trip .

What she said!

 

[kim5678]

Contemporary has my vote~

 

[jondvl]

Hey, The OP is a guy LOL, but thats ok you are all giving some good information

 

[robinb]

Hey, The OP is a guy LOL, but thats ok you are all giving some good information

Oopsie! Sorry for the gender change .

 

[simplymama]

Personally I'd go for CR too. I'd cut back somewhere else to pay for it between now and the time of your trip. I'm assuming you feel it's a possibility since you mentioned it

The access to the MK to me is such a huge asset. There is something very magical for a child boarding that monorail for the first time, or only having to take a 5 minute stroll to be in the MK park.

We stayed at POR one night once and it was nice, food court is a plus and the boat to DTD is fun, but if you can swing it, I'd do the CR and be in the heart of the magic and castle

 

[mitsybella]

The family suites at the ASMU would be my choice if the budget were limited, we stayed there last year and are staying there again this year, we have a 3 and 5 yr old, they loved the bus and seeing the sights as we went to the parks, we still got to go on the monorail when we went to Chef Mickeys. For the price it is the best room for a family, the adult bedroom has a queen bed, each of your children would have there own fold out bed in the other room, the chair, sofa and ottoman all fold out, you have a mini kitchen with the fridge, microwave, coffee maker so you can have breakfast in the room (just buy or bring cereal with you), it has two bathrooms and 2 tvs. The pools are not as fancy as the other resorts no slides but my two had fun. Mouse keeping did a great job, they left towel mickeys and would position the toys in the window as if they were waiting for us to return and even set my daughters doll up like she was watching TV something different every night. If you are trying to save some $ I would go with this option, spend the money elsewhere having fun