Help me decide where to stay in December!

[CaliKT]

We took our first big family trip to WDW last December. We loved our trip and had a great time -- even DH (who's not a Disney person to say the least) and my two boys, now aged 7 and 5.

We stayed at the Poly and loved it. The biggest pros for us were being on the monorail (and walking to the TTC) and the size of the room. My kids loved having the daybed so that they could each have their separate area of the room and didn't have to share a bed. The general atmosphere of the resort was wonderful and relaxing. We had high hopes for the volcano pool, but honestly were a little underwhelmed... but then again, the weather in December was not super pool weather.

We are heading back again this December 8-14 and would like to stay somewhere different.

Right now we are leaning towards a Wilderness Lodge bunkbed room. I think the theming will really appeal to my family, it will be beautiful at Christmastime, and my kids will really love sleeping in the bunkbeds. I am a little worried about the transportation after being on the monorail line, but am not particularly interested in staying at GF or CR, so I think I have to get over that!

Other ideas we had are a pirate room at CBR (one of my kids is a big pirate fan), but I don't actually know a lot about CBR. Don't know if the beach/pool area, which looks great, is that big of a draw for us in December, and I am worried about how spread out that resort is. We will not have a car.

Another idea we had is Pop -- we could do two rooms for less than the one WL room. (We are a little concerned about how cramped Pop might feel after the Poly.) One concern I have, though, is that it just seems very loud and sort of sensory-assaulting, which is an issue for one of my sons. After a full day in the crazy sensory overload that is the park, it was nice to come back to the calm, relaxing Poly.

Any thoughts or other ideas?

 

[mickeynut1]

The Poly is our favorite resort, with the WL running a very close second . We have 2 teens and the Poly is great for the extra space and daybed, which is the only reason we have a hard time going back to the WL. If the WL rooms had a daybed and were slightly larger, we would have a very hard time deciding between the two. I think a WL bunk bed room would be perfect . We had a bunk bed room when our DSs were 8 & 10 and they loved it!!! Yes, the WL rooms are smaller than the Poly rooms, but having stayed at both, I think the WL would be fine for you since your kids are little. You will notice the difference in room size, but I don't think it will be a problem. The WL is great any time of year, but is just breathtaking when it's all decorated for the holidays. We also love taking the boat to MK as well as to the CR where it's convenient to visit, shop, dine there and then hop on the monorail to visit the Poly and GF. Good luck deciding, but I think you would love the WL in December .

 

[mariamouse]

Go to the WL! It is so well suited to the holiday season.

 

[JennyDrake]

Of all of the values I find that Pop has the most sensory overload with the neon colors, etc. _I_ would opt for a different value if you decide to go that route. I also really like CBR, and I would advise spending the extra money for a preferred room IF you plan to use the food court for most meals.

 

[mmouse50]

I would choose the WL - it is gorgeous at Christmas - but if you choose the pirate rooms at CBR be warned that they are the farthest rooms from the food court and main pool area.

I am assuming that AKL is totally out of the question - there are so many places that you can view the animals that your boys might like - If you get a pool view bunkbed room, you will be closest to the food court.

 

[AudreyLovesTheMouse]

I would definitely stay at the Wilderness Lodge! Especially when it's all decked out for Christmas... and especially with 2 boys! My daughter and I absolutely fell in love with WL. It's almost like staying in some tranquil extension of Frontierland. We've stayed 5 times and our room was upgraded 4 out of those 5 (and without our asking).
I've never found transportation much of a problem. The boat to MK is very convenient, and we've never waited long. The bus that seems to be the longest wait is Epcot (for some odd reason) and we've started taking a boat to MK or the Contemp. (whichever comes first)and then taking the monorail. It's longer than a direct bus, if that bus comes quickly... but we just like the boat and monorail better than riding the bus.

 

[katieam1]

We took our first big family trip to WDW last December. We loved our trip and had a great time -- even DH (who's not a Disney person to say the least) and my two boys, now aged 7 and 5.

We stayed at the Poly and loved it. The biggest pros for us were being on the monorail (and walking to the TTC) and the size of the room. My kids loved having the daybed so that they could each have their separate area of the room and didn't have to share a bed. The general atmosphere of the resort was wonderful and relaxing. We had high hopes for the volcano pool, but honestly were a little underwhelmed... but then again, the weather in December was not super pool weather.

We are heading back again this December 8-14 and would like to stay somewhere different.

Right now we are leaning towards a Wilderness Lodge bunkbed room. I think the theming will really appeal to my family, it will be beautiful at Christmastime, and my kids will really love sleeping in the bunkbeds. I am a little worried about the transportation after being on the monorail line, but am not particularly interested in staying at GF or CR, so I think I have to get over that!

Other ideas we had are a pirate room at CBR (one of my kids is a big pirate fan), but I don't actually know a lot about CBR. Don't know if the beach/pool area, which looks great, is that big of a draw for us in December, and I am worried about how spread out that resort is. We will not have a car.

Another idea we had is Pop -- we could do two rooms for less than the one WL room. (We are a little concerned about how cramped Pop might feel after the Poly.) One concern I have, though, is that it just seems very loud and sort of sensory-assaulting, which is an issue for one of my sons. After a full day in the crazy sensory overload that is the park, it was nice to come back to the calm, relaxing Poly.

Any thoughts or other ideas?

I would choose WL it is amazing at Christmas time!!!

 

[goofy4prez]

I also suggest you make your upcoming Christmas visit at the WL. When we were there in December 09 we loved the resort. It was different not being home on Christmas day, but there was still something about being at the WL that still made it feel like Christmas and not being away from home.

 

[Disneyhenry]

I will vote for WL, the pictures of that place during Christmas is just beautiful!

 

[runner_princess]

I would say WL as well. You could alway rent DVC points for the Villas there and get more space that way!

 

[Aggiegrl]

If you are looking for something besides WL (which would be great), maybe a family suite at Art of Animation? Do your boys like Cars?

I know we are really looking forward to the pool at AoA, which is the biggest resort pool on property. There is also a splash park area and 2 (maybe more?) playground areas.

 

[CaliKT]

Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts, everyone!

My boys are actually just about the only two boys around who don't really like Cars, but we are huge Nemo fans, which makes the AoA appealing.

I would say right now we are leaning heavily towards WL!

 

[Mariep26]

I would probably do AoA or WL.