How do you choose between resorts

[Babsy]

With the age of your children, I would go with either CSR or the Swan unless you need three beds. If you want three beds then perhaps a standard room at AKL or WL with bunk beds might work. Right now there is construction at the WL so I wouldn't plan a stay here for that reason. A lot depends upon what kind of a discount you get for what resort. Sometimes a standard room at AKL is nearly the same price as a preferred or RR at POR, for example. Or the Swan can be much less than other comparable rooms/resorts.

CSR is a great moderate with lots of dining options, a great pool, slide and hot tub, beautiful grounds and some extra amenities not available at other moderates. It is also close to Epcot, DHS and AK.

The Swan is in the Epcot area and are deluxe resorts. However, they often offer discounts that give prices that are about the same as a moderate. The location alone is enough reason to stay here. the Swan is recently renovated with beautiful rooms with two queen beds. It is walking distance to both Epcot and DHS. We love staying in the Epcot area!

The AKL is spectacular! The lobby is breathtaking! the pools are great and the dining is really tasty. Some rooms have a queen and a bunk bed arrangement, which might work well for you. Savanna view rooms are the most expensive, but completely unnecessary when on a budget. Some standard rooms will still have a partial savanna view or a savanna view that includes the 'people pens' below (where people go in case of a fire). Anyway, there are lots of viewing areas to watch the animals all around the resort. I think that Anyone would enjoy a stay here. It is buses only transportation but the buses only make two stops (Kidani and Jambo), so they are quite good.

Good luck choosing!

 

[North of Mouse]

Most moderates have queen beds now, with the exception of any king bed rooms, the pirate rooms at CBR and the Cabins at FW (totally different option).

FW cabins have a queen bed also.

 

[kayteekt]

French Quarter is our favorite mod by leaps and bounds! Have no interest in staying anywhere besides. We have enjoyed that resort as much as any of the deluxes we've done. We love that it is compact, POR and CBR are beautiful, but are soooo big and spread out...all those bus stops. Huge turn off for us But that's just our families opinion.

 

[MonaMN]

French Quarter is our favorite mod by leaps and bounds! Have no interest in staying anywhere besides. We have enjoyed that resort as much as any of the deluxes we've done. We love that it is compact, POR and CBR are beautiful, but are soooo big and spread out...all those bus stops. Huge turn off for us But that's just our families opinion.

Would love to try it sometime, but since they don't do discounts (at least not often), we haven't tried it yet! Maybe next time...

 

[Jonas_Swe]

Why have you not looked at Coronado Springs? Out of the moderate resorts, it has the largest main pool area, and the longest pool slide. To me it also feels a bit more upscale than the other moderates (and I have stayed at all except the Wilderness Cabins), and I think it has the best bus service as well.

That's a great tip!

I was going to suggest Coronado Springs or Fort Wilderness Cabins.

But I guess it all comes down to how much you want to pay for the lodging, amenities and the time spent at the resort.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Where does one find these 'discounts'? Do we just wait for Disney to bring down the prices? If so, how often (and when) does that usually happen?

 

[MonaMN]

Discounts are released throughout the year for times in the future.

This list shows some of the timing over the past few years.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codetrends

They are not automatically applied to your trip - you must call or modify your reservation - and they are often quite limited in availability (only certain rooms at certain resorts).