help us decide which resort

[travel with kids]

We will be on the DCL April 18-22, 2004. After the cruise we want to spend some time at WDW. We have not stayed at WDW since our Honeymoon (1987). The kids for the last 4 years have wanted to stay at WDW instead of heading to a hotel "outside". We decided that we would surprise them after our cruise with a WDW visit.

Here is where I need your help.


Would you

1). Make this a very magical vacation and stay in a Deluxe Resort? Which means we would have to drive (to save $$$$). We live in MAINE. That would be a 24 hour drive both ways. However, we have driven the last three times.

Or Would you

2). Make this a very relaxing vacation and fly. Which means we would have to stay in a Moderate or Value Resort? (depending on the plane tickets)

Any thoughts on the pros and cons of either possibility?...Thanks

 

[Pooh67_68]

I vote for flying and staying at a moderate.
My choice for a mod... POR.

 

[NotTooGoofy]

If you are going to spend most of your time at the parks and not in the room, fly and stay at a moderate resort. You may not be at the deluxe resort enough to enjoy it.

 

[Daisymeo]

I would vote for staying at POR and flying. We have stayed at two different deluxes, the Poly and Beach Club, but the grounds at POR are so beautiful it easily compares to a deluxe. The rooms are slightly smaller but we are at the parks most of the day so it doesn't matter to us. Transportation was great at POR, too.

 

[RescueRanger]

I would check on discounts at the Swan/Dolphin. We are using a government employee rate of $129 per night. These are considered deluxe hotels and the rate for a moderate during the same time would be $169 per night. So, not only are we getting a great rate but we are also getting a great resort. To get the government rate you can be a federal, state, or local goverment employee. They also have nurse and teacher discounts which are the same rate as the government. You can check your dates for rates through the DreamRes system on this site.

 

[jillwdw]

Heres the thing...You can't beat flying and being able to spend more time at Disney. I tell people this alot...We stay at WL which we all love but, the kids don't care where we stay. The kids think its all cool. My dh and I we stay at WL to enhance our experience. Stick with the moderate and fly. Hope this helps.

 

[kirby428]

I will dare to voice the minority opinion. Drive to Disney and stay at the Polynesian Resort for as many nights as your credit card limit allows. On the afternoon or night of arrival, stay at an inexpensive off-property motel near the main gate. Get up early, check in, and spend a full day at the parks the next day. Cut away for an afternoon nap.

For best access to both the Epcot monorail and the MK monorail, the Polynesian can't be beat. Monorail access to the MK grants the ability to arrive at the gate earlier than most other resort guests. We had Tonga Toast at the Kona Kafe at 0730 and still made it to the MK gate to wait for park opening before the first ferry crossed the lake. Monorail resorts provide fast access to the room for afternoon naps and fast return to the parks for evening parades and fun.

Having our car with us while at Disney is something I would never do without. Just getting from one resort to another resort by Disney bus can be a pain in the neck. Disney buses do a fine job for places they can take you, but they can't do it all. It is nice to hop in your own car to go anywhere you have a desire or need to go.

I would drive four days to be able to spend 5 days at the Polynesian rather than fly down so I could spend 10 days at a budget or moderate resort (and I drive from Michigan). You can do the math, but I would guess that the money for airline tickets is higher than driving costs even with the road motel cost thrown in. Use the savings to offset the cost of the delux resort room.

But hang the costs anyway. I've done it both ways (shorter stays at delux resorts and longer stays at moderates) and I can tell you for sure that you will savor the memory of a stay at a delux resort with bigger smiles than by saving a buck to settle for a moderate or budget resort. Hear me now believe me tomorrow: when all is said and done, it is the memory of a truely great Disney visit that justifies the expense and makes you glad you provided the best Disney experience you possibly could...well just once at least.

 

[Battleship Bob]

IMHO you can have it both ways..........rent points from a DVC member for a stay in a deluxe resort. We're staying at BCV, in a studio, for a week in March for $1340. A 1 or 2 bedroom would of course set you back more. Check the DVC points calculator for the dates you're wanting to stay and then go to the DVC rent/trade board to see what you can find.

We did this for our next trip and since have become DVC members.

 

[MarkLem]

Most important - How old are the kids?

 

[travel with kids]

Our children are ds 13 & dd 8. And yes, sharing a bed is not their idea of 'having a good time'. I usually sleep with dd and dh sleeps with ds. Not the most romantic way to spend a vacation!!

 

[disneysandy]

I normally stay at the Poly...at least there you can get 2 beds, along with a daybed. That should at least make your DS and DD happy... My other choice would be to check into the FW cabins. The cabins also have enough room for your family to spread out & they are not as expensive as staying in a deluxe. Don't forget that you get a full kitchen in the cabins which might help out moneywise some too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you can swing something on the monorail, that would be my 1st choice. Nothing beats the monorail when it comes to getting to MK and EPCOT/WS.

BUT....

I also would have no problem staying at AK, CSR or any other moderate Disney resort. I think the only ones I would shy away from would be the budget resorts. IMHO (& definitely not trying to irritate anyone's taste), they just don't appeal to me.

Either way, have a super time....

 

[Kimberle]

Well, I'd like you to "have your cake & eat it too!"

Look into the WL. They have bunkbeds. Plus, it's so beautiful & relaxing. Just a short boat ride away from CR/FW/MK.

Since it's one of the lower priced deluxes, and you're going in April, there is a good chance a package deal or discount codes will come out. Many folks got rooms for $109/night this year. I would guess the codes would come out around Jan (based on prior years).

Either make a ressie or hold on just a tad!

But if you decide to go with a mod, you'll still have a great time! Part of POR has trundle beds. So the kids wouldn't have to share.

Best of luck! It sounds like a wonderful vacation!

 

[*Fantasia*]

You can have a very magical vacation in any disney resort you stay at. Hmmm... I think I would prefer to fly and get there fast and not spend my money on lodging and food on the way to florida and back home.

A magical vacation is what you make out of it. So no matter where you stay... it be in the most expensive deluxe disney resort or off-site resort...but if your're not having a wonderful time, then it won't be magical at all.

Have a Day!!

 

[Hoosier_Girl05]

We went to the CBR in May, we flew and though I really wish we could have stayed in the Deluxe resorts, the CBR was a decent choice. I would MUCH rather fly than drive. We live in Indiana, so its a pretty good drive for us too. I would fly, and stay at a resort such as CBR.

 

[leighe]

I would drive and then spend the extra $$$ at a deluxe. I know a lot of people say the room is just a place to sleep, but to me staying at a deluxe resort just makes the trip perfect in every way. The older I have gotten the more I love the resorts. They are very much a part of the Disney magic for me.

 

[kirby428]

Yes, for me, the two day drive gives me more cash to be able to book the best Disney room I possibly can without risking bankruptcy. And I also agree that a room is not just where one goes to sleep. One must arrive at a resort, check in, walk to the transportation and back each day, consider meal possibilities, consider the quality of the pools, the recreational potentials, whether or not there is room service after hours, etc. etc. The theme and beauty of the grounds is part of the magic. Some resorts do it better period. Those that do it well, charge more. I have used the rationalization that a room is only where one goes to sleep to justify my need to book moderate instead of the much better Delux rooms especially if length of stay must be extended. It can work, but once you are there, you know for sure that a compromise has been made. The difficulty of deciding the compromises is why so many look to these messages to help them settle their minds, but nothing works better than experience. I can not go to WDW except maybe every 5-6 years but when I do, I reach for as much Disney Magic as I possibly can and that means booking as many Delux resort room nights as possible. Driving helps me do that.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
I would check on discounts at the Swan/Dolphin. We are using a government employee rate of $129 per night. These are considered deluxe hotels and the rate for a moderate during the same time would be $169 per night. So, not only are we getting a great rate but we are also getting a great resort. To get the government rate you can be a federal, state, or local goverment employee. They also have nurse and teacher discounts which are the same rate as the government. You can check your dates for rates through the DreamRes system on this site.

Swan/Dolphin also has a Entertainment Club book rate that's usually the same as the govt. discount, depending on when you go. You basically get to stay at a deluxe hotel for the price of a moderate. You can also save a little money by staying fewer days. The location is the best by MGM/Epcot/Boardwalk. You can get a lot more done in a few days by being closer. I would hate to have to drive all that way back home after being at Disney World.

 

[PamNC]

Because you live in Maine, and if you drive that'll take away true "vacation time" of 48 whole hours, I would suggest you fly and stay in a moderate. If you lived closer, I may suggest a deluxe, depending upon how much time you plan to spend in parks vs. theme parks.

PamNC

 

[jiminyfan]

You can do either one of your ideas or do a combo level trip. Start at a mod or value and theen end at a deluxe. You do not have to stay at one place, in fact Disney will move your bags for you, only hassle is you have to pack them.

Cost of flying vs driving. I sometimes debate this escpecially from your distance. The time involved, wear and tear on the car, wear and tear on YOU, fuel, hotel rooms on way down and back. How much do you value your time? Mine is worth a lot.


Read what everyone here says, but remember they are just giving THEIR opinions. Everyone has one and they all differ. My thought is be flexible and think out of the box. Do the cost analysis on both.

TALK to YOUR FAMILY. Find out what they prefer. Your children never stay at WDW before, so no matter which Resort you pick it will be special.

Yes there are differences in the levels, but I always say it is the

PEOPLE who make the vacation special and magical not the ROOM or RESORT. You can stay in the BEST hotels, but if you are with a GRUMPY bunch then it will not be good.

Look at the time you are going to spend at your hotel vs the parks if you do not plan on using the hotel resort alot why spend the $$$ for a few more feet of living space?

Another advantage of value is with 4 kids you may want to consider adjoining rooms, that way the kids have the thrill of staying ALONE and mom and dad get - PRIVACY!!!! Which to me can be PRICELESS!!

If I had to pick a value resort at the time you are going I'd make it Pop Century, brand new which has it advantages.

I like Coronado for a mod and the only deluxe I would suggest to everyone is AKL especially with kids. My son loves staying there and seeing "his" animals.


If you split your time between a value and deluxe you will spend about as much as a moderate, be able to FLY and save the time on the road and exchange that for time at DISNEY!!!!

Tell me which you think is more FUN and the kids will enjoy more - being in a car/van on the Interstate or being at WDW?????


Ok, my soapbox is not open for the next person.

Have a great trip!!!!






Going tomorrow for 19 nights in a value, for this trip at least it is TIME over Money.

See ya all at the end of the month!!!!

 

[Sammie]

I agree with flying and staying at moderate resort. I like them all, so any will be a great place to stay.