HELP! What should I do?

[maxsmom]

Ok, I have ressies 2 places. I don't know which one to go with. There will be me, Dh, and DS 15 mths. We are going in July. It's dh and I's 5 yr anniversary ans ds 1st trip. I know he won't remember it. Here's what we got.

1: Swan for $149 night plus $70 resort fee for each night. We will be using old park hopper tickets that we have. We have 6 days each and will be there for 8 total. We will not have a car. So we will have to pay to get from MCO to the Swan. We will be at the Boardwalk which we love.

2: PORFQ for $99 a night + $420 for AP. This is about $100 less. Dh would use park hopper and we'd have passes for all 8 days and still have 4 days left. We would have free transportation to the resort. We would be giving up the Boardwalk and would have to take the buses everywhere.

We haven't stayed at either of these resorts. All of this would be solved if we just get the WL standard veiw for AAA or AP. UGH! Please help with any advice. THe good news is we did rule out the POP! TIA

 

[cassie]

I don't understand your question. The Swan sounds good for the price, but what is the $70 resort fee for? PORFQ is also a good deal with the AP's. You can get free transport to PORFQ which is a great resort. Either way, without a car, you will still need to use the bus transportation to get to some of the parks.

 

[maxsmom]

The Swan/Dolphin add a $10 a night resort fee when you get there. So it'll be an additional $70.

 

[cassie]

Okay, so it's not $70 each night. Got it. But what is the extra for anyway? Are you sure it's something you need or are using? With the baby I'm sure you'll want to go to MK. So from the Swan you take a boat to Epcot, then the monorail to MK. What about the other 2 parks? Can you take the boat to MGM? I'm pretty new at the boats, so please forgive my questions. I know at the PORFQ it is the first stop for the busses. I just can't see avoiding taking any busses at one time or another. Hopefully someone else will come along with more help.

 

[maxsmom]

From the boardwalk resorts you can take a boat or walk to EPCOT and MGM. You will take a bus to the MK, AK, and DTD. You can get to MK the way you mentioned but I wouldn't do that unless I was planning on spending some time at EPCOT 1st. I realize that there is no way to aviod the buses w/out a car. I'm just torn on where we should go. There are good things about both. Just looking for some opinions from those that have stayed there and maybe those that have been there with very little kids since we've not stayed at either and this is our first trip with a kid. Thanks though!

 

[TDC Nala]

It'll depend on which one you like better. If you like the idea of walking to one park or taking the boat you will go with the Swan. You're taking buses to MK or AK wherever you stay. Go with whichever you think you'd enjoy most.

 

[Dizz42]

As I always say when faced with a "Which resort?" dilemma, I'd go for a split stay. Now, I'm not sure about how hard/easy it will be with a 15-month old but I guess that would depend on you and your husband. If you give it some good planning, I think you could pull it off without too much hassle. I would go 3 nights PORFQ and then 4 nights Swan. The best of both worlds! This is just my opinion and it is easy for me to say since we usually don't have any little ones with us except for our trips with the grandkids. My DH and I have been doing split-stays for a while now and we really enjoy it. Lately my philosophy about where to stay is "When in doubt...do both!" Good luck and have a wonderful time!

 

[SusanDK]

I think that's a great rate for the Swan and the location is wonderful. You can walk to both Epcot and MGM, or take a boat to either one. You have tons of options within the area for dining with the Boardwalk right there, as well as all the restaurants at Swan, Dolphin, as well as Yacht & Beach.

You will need to take a bus or go through Epcot to catch the monorail to get to MK, but with POFQ you would need transport for every park.

Your child is so young that you probably won't need to spend as much time in MK as you will when he is a little older, so I wouldn't worry about being furthest from MK.

Unlike many here on the DIS, I would not recommend a split stay. I like to settle in to one resort and not have the hassle or take the time of packing and moving once I'm there. But I know for many that trying different resorts is part of the vacation!

Susan

 

[rmontgo892]

Ok, I have ressies 2 places. I don't know which one to go with. There will be me, Dh, and DS 15 mths. We are going in July. It's dh and I's 5 yr anniversary ans ds 1st trip. I know he won't remember it. Here's what we got.

1: Swan for $149 night plus $70 resort fee for each night. We will be using old park hopper tickets that we have. We have 6 days each and will be there for 8 total. We will not have a car. So we will have to pay to get from MCO to the Swan. We will be at the Boardwalk which we love.

2: PORFQ for $99 a night + $420 for AP. This is about $100 less. Dh would use park hopper and we'd have passes for all 8 days and still have 4 days left. We would have free transportation to the resort. We would be giving up the Boardwalk and would have to take the buses everywhere.

We haven't stayed at either of these resorts. All of this would be solved if we just get the WL standard veiw for AAA or AP. UGH! Please help with any advice. THe good news is we did rule out the POP! TIA

Are you trying to justify the price of Swan over PORFQ? If not than choose the one you know you'll enjoy, imho!

I've stayed at Swan, PO, and WL. The WL is lovely but since you said you love the Boardwalk area then the Swan may be the way to go since the WL doesn't have a "rate." As someone already posted, MGM/Disney Studios and Epcot are accessed by boat. You can walk to both parks but in July from the Swan to Epcot?? Unless the heat isn't an issue! Everything else is a bus.

My then 1yr old loved the busses though! He also loves the boats. Anything it takes to entertain a little one.

I'll say this much. We found the boats easier with a stroller than the busses. You can stroll the stroller on and fold it up while seated or in the back of boat. The bus...you need to have the stroller folded up and ready to get on, up the stairs when it arrives.

Another plus if the little one falls asleep say at MGM/Disney Studios, you simply can stroll the sleeping child back to the Swan by-passing the boats.

Some don't think the Swan & Dolphin are "disney" but they have worked fine for our family. Since your comparing PO and Swan, then the amenities at the Swan offer more. Room service is a perk our family enjoys! The movies in the room are nice when your son naps too.

Here's another plus for the Swan. The Swan and Dolphin have a character breakfast and dinner. Can you imagine how easy it is to stroller outta your room, down the elevator, and over to character meals without dealing with any transportation????

Good Luck, with whatever you decide!

 

[lisareneeo]

I'd go for POFQ. We stayed here on our first trip and enjoyed it. It is a small, compact resort which will be nice with a little one.
Another reason for POFQ is that you will have 1 AP plus 4 days left on park hoppers. Maybe you could make another trip right before you Ap expires and use your 4 days left on the hopper. I am always looking for a reason to go back to Disney!
Good luck with your decision.