Help! Overwhelmed Newbie - where do we stay?

[Chris333]

I found out last night from my husband that we will be able to extend one of his business trips to WDW! I am a super planner and usually research for months and months before I decide on vacation details. I just don't feel like I have the time. This was the first place I was recommended and the info is great....there is just a lot of it.

Any help with regards to the resorts would be appreciated. I have been to WDW a few times in the past 15 years but was always just along for the ride.

We will be traveling from May 29th -June 5th - ish (dates can change if we need them to - I can considering one more day on the end). It will be my husband and I and our 2 1/2 yr old son. We don't want to make it a marathon vacation and are planning on several days of no park. I am looking at the lower Deluxe and Moderate level resorts. I would love a great pool since we are planning on spending a lot of time at it and a resort with somethings to do. KWIM?

Am I correct - my 2 1/2 yr old does not count? (I mean for occupancy and park tickets)

Once we decide - what is the best way to book? Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Well, first
WELCOME TO THE DIS!



There is a myriad of information here. Perhaps you sh/could take a look at each of the "topics" briefly and then peek at a few Q's to get better acquainted.
I would first go to the resort board and take a look at what others have posted, pix and resort specific info.

I always book myself and I think thats fine but I ALWAYS check the DIS for any updated info as they have always been up to date and most times have the jump on all important info (like promo release dates and deals).

ASK AWAY!!!
Have a great time when you go!

 

[mmexpress]

We like Port Orleans French quarter.
It's quiet and small, it all is right next to Port Orleans Riverside and you can use all of the amenities of both resorts.
You can also take a boat to Downtown Disney.

Check out this site www.portorleans.org

 

[ace9224]

We just stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and loved it.
I booked in there because I wanted to stay at a resort where, like you, I could take time out from the parks and relax. The pool at WL is wonderful and fun. There are also two hot tubs to relax in.
WL has plenty of nooks and crannies in the lobby and on several other floors where you can sit quietly and read or just relax. I made it a daily routine to grab the newspaper and a coffee and sit on the second floor where there were three chairs in front of a small fireplace. I was the only one there!
Also, WL is just a short boat ride to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[annnewjerz]

I also think WL is a nice choice if you can't afford to stay at one of the monorail resorts or one of them in the Epcot area. If you can afford to stay at one of the Epcot resorts (Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk) I would definitely recommend that.

They will all have great pools, they are close enough to walk to both Epcot and DHS, they have lots of options for food (at the resorts, on the Boardwalk, the Swan & Dolphin and the World Showcase at Epcot). The Boardwalk is also a great place for nightly entertainment or just sitting out and people watching. There is the lagoon that you can sit out next to, etc. Seems like lots of fun.

If you will be staying for that length of time, don't forget about the 4/3 deal. If you could afford to stay the whole trip at a less expensive deluxe--you can possibly afford to stay at one of the more expensive deluxes with the 4/3 deal.

Good luck and happy planning!

 

[KatMark]

Welcome to the Dis!

You will get many opinions for and against various resorts. I suggest you look at the pictures and fact sheets of all of the resorts and see which theme appeals to you the most.

Our favorite is the CSR.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info. CSR has queen beds, full menu room service, a terrific main pool area and great transportation that is not shared with other resorts.

 

[britterbell]

Animal Kingdom Lodge. No Doubt. By far the greatest hotel (in my mind). The WL is nice tho. The Lodges are the place to stay! =)

 

[Rylee]

Hi,

Disney is offering a special, but you MUST book by Jan. 24.

Buy 4 nights and tickets for 4 days and get 3 nights and tickets for 3 days for FREE.

I know you said you are planning on a few "resort days" but the extra tickets might come in handy if you want to dine in any of the parks restaurants.

I suggest you take a look at the Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Beach Club and maybe the Poly. BC and the Poly are more expensive, but with the special, you may want to consider them.

 

[itchin2go]

Look at pictures of the mods and WL and AKL. See what "look" appeals to you. If you've already got it narrowed to those, that's only, what, 6 resorts?

Here's a consideration: Will you be spending most of your time at MK? For our first trip, that was definitely the case, which is why we chose WL. It's a very short bus or boat ride to the MK, whereas the mods and AKL are a bit further away. My (then) 5 year old loved those boat rides.

 

[caroline1851]

We stayed at CSR recently and loved it. But....If I could've afforded to spend a little, I would've stayed at AKL-perfect for a little kid!

 

[Buzz2001]

duplicate

 

[shannn]

We stayed at the BC with our kids at that age and loved it. The pool is too die for. This time we're staying at the Poly, and we're really excited about being on the monorail. We looked at AKL but we just didn't want to be that far away from the MK/Epcot. We're planning on monorailing it to those two and then probably driving to DHS.

I, too, would suggest you look at pictures of the various resorts you're considering and deciding which one appeals to you. I'd also recommend the Unofficial Guide for helping. I read it religiously with our first trip.

Happy Searching!

 

[misled3]

I found out last night from my husband that we will be able to extend one of his business trips to WDW! I am a super planner and usually research for months and months before I decide on vacation details. I just don't feel like I have the time. This was the first place I was recommended and the info is great....there is just a lot of it.

Any help with regards to the resorts would be appreciated. I have been to WDW a few times in the past 15 years but was always just along for the ride.

We will be traveling from May 29th -June 5th - ish (dates can change if we need them to - I can considering one more day on the end). It will be my husband and I and our 2 1/2 yr old son. We don't want to make it a marathon vacation and are planning on several days of no park. I am looking at the lower Deluxe and Moderate level resorts. I would love a great pool since we are planning on spending a lot of time at it and a resort with somethings to do. KWIM?

Am I correct - my 2 1/2 yr old does not count? (I mean for occupancy and park tickets)

Once we decide - what is the best way to book? Thanks in advance for any info!

We love the CBR it has 2 pools for the kids with lots of things for even a little one of 2 1/2. We took our youngest at 2 1/2 if you would like to save some money Pop Century has lots for the kids. CBR also has bicycles, and boats you can rent on property and lots of beautiful grounds to explore also every village it's own quiet pool and play area with sand and hammocks, lawn chairs for mom and dad. I also think at that age a car is a must drive to the parks do not take the buses it is so much easier just to put the kiddo into a car seat and go back to the hotel parking is free at all parks if you stay on property. No matter what you choose it will be a wonderful vacation.

 

[TJM1976]

I gotta chime in.

Personally, I would suggest checking out the 4/3 deal. Even if you don't plan on going to the parks EVERYDAY, it may be worth it. And you would have the option to dine in the parks if you like or even just go for the evening fireworks.

As far as resorts, it depends on if your child is easily entertained. Meaning, if he/she is content splashing in a pool or prefers activities. Animal Kingdom Lodge has a great pool and several areas for viewing the animals and kid activities on animals etc. More pricey Deluxe would be the Polynesian. Has a great volcano themed pool and the sandy area next to the lagoon. Moderate: Caribbean Beach has a great theme and a new pool. And some rooms have been remodeled to the theme of Pirates of the Caribbean. Port Orleans Riverside/French Quarter is laid back, relaxing, and has a lazy feel. Value: Pop Century is awesome with all the large Disney icons and themes.

It basically depends on your style, what interests you more. If you like or want to expierence Mexican / Spanish arcitecture, Coronado Springs is beautiful. But all Disney resorts cater to kids of all ages. If you search online, you can find pics from all the resorts. On Disney's web site, they don't offer many photos of the resorts.

Good luck and feel free to ask anything!!!

 

[pickles]

with a 2.5 yr old, BC hands down. The sand pool is perfect for that age. then you have the boardwalk just a short boatride away

go to allearsnet.com and get a feel for resorts, pick the theme that appeals to you most

most have fun pools, but zero entry level will be more enjoyable for your toddler

 

[homedad]

another vote for WL, deluxe resort but lowest price(same cat as AKL), close to MK where you'll most likely spend most of time with 2.5yr. Pool bar for mom and dad while u guys just hang out. Nice theme. Just a boat ride away to more dining options at the Contempary(sp?).

 

[DISfanboy]

I would go with AKL or WL for deluxe resorts. For Moderate resorts I suggest POR or CBR. Go over to DisneyWorld.com and check pics of those resorts.

 

[ABCanada]

With a 2 YO you will likely be spending most of your park time at MK. WL is a very relaxing boat ride from MK. While the bus transportation is amazing it is not relaxing.
Leaving the park and riding the boat is like going from chaos to tranquility. I find with all the stimuli at Disney, particularly for younger children, you need to get away from the chaos immediately when you hit overload.
Other advantages of WL:
-short boat ride to Fort Wilderness which has wagon rides and farm animals
-can watch the light parade name? in the evening from the beach (you can also see a lot of the MK from the beach)
-great theming
-less expesive than the monorail resorts
-better beds than mods (I also prefer the hotel style to the motel style of the mods)

AKL is also loving, and also a less expensive deluxe, but you will spend more time waiting and traveling.

 

[katieandemismom]

I would vote for either WL or AKL. My personal favorite is AKL (and the animals are amazing), but my girls were a little older so the length of the drive to everywhere didn't bother them much. The pool was fun there, too (zero entry which is great for little guys). I spent a lot of afternoons while the rest of my family was napping sitting in a rocking chair overlooking the savannah.

WL is equally amazing (we just live in the woods and weren't as awed by it). The boat ride was fun, there's a lot to do at the resort, and you have Fort Wilderness just down a path. My girls really liked that pool. The electric water parade during the evenings was nice, too.

We're trying CSR next trip. Who knows, maybe it will turn into my new fav!