I am so confused! Too many choices...

[twixbar]

The more research I do to try to find the best resort, the more confused I get. I've changed my mind about 10 times already! We (dh, 2 y/o ds, and I) are going for 4 nights in February, and this is our first time. I am trying to choose a resort that will be fun for all of us, esp. my 2 y/o. At first I decided on POR, and then CBR, and then CR, and then finally the Poly! arrggg I know this is all subjective, but where will I get the most bang for my buck? Since this is our first trip, maybe we should just stay in a moderate this time and then a deluxe next time. I don't know!

If we do choose not to stay in the CR or Poly, I need help making another decision. I get a nurse discount at the Swan/Dolphin. Would it be nicer to stay there than a moderate resort?

As you can tell, I am VERY confused. So, I would love to have any opinion or suggestion you would like to share. I am getting a headache trying to make these decisions on my own!

Thank you!

Monica

 

[A kid at heart]

Have you given any thought to the WL?
If you're going to go with a moderate I would suggest CB or POR, if deluxe I would suggest WL. When you walk into that lobby for the first time all you can say is awesome! The pool theming is great too. Just my humble opinion. But then again I like the contemp too, there is nothing like staying in the tower and having a great view and the conveninece of the monorail right in the lobby and its a short walk to the mk from there.

 

[jadyson]

I personally love Dixie Landings, now Port Orleans Riverside. The atmosphere is more of a deluxe and it has a great pool area, too. If it still running, there is a nice boat ride to DD, too.
You may also consider ASMo, the kids will love the theming, especially Buzz Lightyear.

 

[Trekker]

From our experience

Our first trip we stayed at a moderate - CBR.

We had a blast - most of our time was in the parks and the cost of a deluxe did not seem to make sense.

We have stayed at several moderates and recently spent several stays at the Swan & Dolphin. Having made several trips we are now a little more relaxed in our approach and do spend more time at the resort, thus the cost of a deluxe is easier to justify now.

What ever you choose I just know you are going to have a blast. So just choose and go and have fun!

 

[stacy6552]

These are some questions to ask yourself:

How much time will you be spending at your resort? Given the time of year and the shorter hours, I'd think that as long as your tot will sleep on the go you won't be in the room all that much.

Is your toddler into anything yet? Toy story? 101 dalmations? Then think about the all-star movies resort in your child's favorite movie themed wing. Is he into trains? then the contemp would be a good choice. Animals? animal kingdon lodge is your best bet.

What park do you think you'll spend the most time at? Stay close by or within a cool ride to. the WL is a boat ride to the MK and the monorail resorts speak for themselves. The BC is a short walk away from epcot and a boat ride to MGM

 

[drewc]

My parents bought into some time shares when I was in my early teens, and now that we have a brood of our own, we've gotten really spoiled by the convenience and roominess of the suite arrangement.

We're staying at the Hawthorn Suites for our trip at the end of this December, but because I'm a deranged Disney lunatic, I'm already thinking about our NEXT trip. Psst - don't tell my wife!

After reading through a lot of information and first hand accounts, I'l like to consider staying on-site. I did this once when attending a convention (I think it was at the Beach Club), and throught it was great, but didn't think we'd have enough space for our family of 5.

Is there anywhere on site that offers the "suite experience", without requiring a second mortgage on your home?

TIA!

 

[twixbar]

Thanks to everyone for your advice! Yes, I did consider the WL ( I think I seriously considered all of the resorts ), but I really would like a resort with the monorail if I am going to pay for a deluxe.

All of these choices make my head spin, and the more reading I do, the more confused I get.

Any more suggestions?

 

[stacy6552]

twix, whats important to you in a resort?

 

[twixbar]

Well, I guess my problem is that I want a little bit of everything. We don't plan on spending too much time at the resort (other than nap time for ds) since we will be there for only 4 nights. But, I want a pretty resort that is quiet, relaxing, but yet fairly close to a food court. So I want convenience too. I know I am asking for too much.

The monorail is not really that important, but it would be very convenient and nice to have for ds. So, if we were to splurge on a deluxe, I would want the monorail. I would be happy staying at a nice moderate resort, and if we did that, we would have more $ to spend on other "stuff".

I think ds would be happy just about anywhere, and i think he would love staying at the ASMo (he LOVES Toy Story), but I think dh and I would be happier staying somewhere just a bit more *luxurious*.

Maybe we should start out with POR and then try a deluxe the next year

Dh is no help in this decision. He's like "whatever you decide". I am much more excited than he is, so I really want to impress him with the Magic at Disney. He's never been, even as a child. So, he really has no clue!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

The Contemporary and Polynesian are great resorts - perfect for a first trip! If you don't mind spending the extra for a tower room at the Contemporary, that would be the ultiment "first trip" room to stay in! It gets you right into the Disney spirit!

If you would like a laid back, relaxing resort, the Polynesian is awesome! The "Disney Magic" is definetly at the three MK Resorts: The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian (my personal favorite).

 

[cinder1]

drewc,
I haven't stayed, but hear nice things about the Doubletree in DTD. It's not a disney resort (so you won't get EE) but it is "on site". It is all suites. Mousesavers has a great review and the Doubletree has mousesaver discounts. You should check it out.

 

[Mississippian]

Hi Twixbar,
I'm just going to give you my opinion, but that's all anyone does here.

The Poly is a special place. I took my three-year-old son, and found myself wishing the whole family was together. BUT, it is a bit wasted on a young child, as they cannot really use the pool and slide. This place is expensive, and I would wait until your child was older, at which point I would make the plunge.

The Swan nurse rate, if still $129, is a great deal. If you are willing to use an in-room baby sitter (Fairy Godmothers charges about $10/hour) then it will be easy for you to walk to Epcot and eat dinner. Actually, since you only have one child, you might be able to bring him along. (Just wait until you find out how a second child changes your lovely little world!)

Finally, Contemporary is the only hotel within walking distance of the Magic Kingdon. So you can bring your own stroller and walk to the park without waiting in any lines. It's a nice walk, and especially great when coming home at the end of the night. If you decide on this, be brave and take one of the awful "wing" rooms. Yes, you will miss the "ambiance" of staying in the tower, but you will save $200+ per night.

Have a good time!

Mississippian

 

[flower]

You must do a moderate or delux. That will help to narrow it down.

 

[honeymom]

Look at POFQ. It fits the bill as a quiet resort where you can be close to the foodcourt. Plus, the theming is very good for young children (alligators, king triton). Our 2 1/2 year old loved it. It is the smallest of the moderate resorts so it doesn't take long to walk to the foodcourt etc. from anywhere.


Poly puts you on monorail as does CR. But, I am not sure how quiet they are.

Also, I understand your time there is limited, but do try to get some rest at the hotel everyday. The 2 year old will need it.

 

[10drum]

With young children, a first time stay should be in a monorail resort because the acces to MK. Our first trip was at the poly because we thought that was going to be a once in a lifetime trip, well we've been back every year since. We like the epcot resorts now, but first time, the monorail is a must.

 

[Mom of 5]

Stick with the Polynesian ! We all loved it there - DH, me, and the children ( were 15,11,9, 3 and 22 months when we took them in January). We stayed two nights at AKL,and four nights at the Poly. We really loved both resorts, but I think for a first trip with a 2 year old, I'd go with the Poly. The location can't be beat, and it's just beautiful there.

We didn't have a lagoon view room, but could see the castle and the GF out across the water from the balconies of our rooms - magical !

Aside from the beauty, it is just soooo convenient. It's just a short walk to the monorail, and you're at the MK -- the monorail was our 3 yr. old DH's favorite "ride". Also a nice walk to the TTC to get to Epcot by monorail.

I know it's hard to choose. I did the same thing you did when we were planning our family trip. I don't know how many times I changed my mind (and our reservations).

Have fun planning - I know you'll have a great trip, regardless of where you stay !

 

[*Flower*]

You might want to do your own research.

There are plenty of boards/websites that have all sorts of information.
One is www.wdwig.com - it has pictures and everything!

Think about what your budget will be, and which parks you'll be wanting to visit.

Try to base your hotel choices on that, then narrow them down.

Hope this helps........

 

[twixbar]

Thanks everyone! Flower- I think the problem is that I've done too much research. All of the resorts look tempting to me now. Right now I am leaning toward the Dolphin because with my RN discount, we can stay in club level for only $199. I really would prefer to be closer to an MK resort (esp. with a monorail), but right now there is just too big a price difference between Dolphin club level and Poly or CR. I guess I could always change my mind again later, if the resort rates are discounted for February

 

[MJames41]

Have you thought of a room at the Contemporary in one of the wings? These are around $200 during value season (don't have the actual price) and are just as convenient to the monorail as the Tower. They are also huge rooms. My son (15) prefers the Contemporary over any other resort, and we have only stayed in the Wings so far. Our stay at the Tower this next trip is a birthday present for him. Just a thought.

 

[jabrown40]

I'm a nurse too, and I looked strongly at the Dolphin before we went on our last trip. However, after looking at the pics, and reading more about it on these boards, I just wanted to go all out and stay at a true Disney resort. We booked 3 nights at the GF and 3 nights at the Beach Club. I have been to Disney over 14 times, and have tried most of the resorts. I can only recommend a monorail resort since it is your first time, and with a two year old especially. Also, depending on when you go, the weather may be cool, and the pool may not play a big factor in your stay. It sounds like your days will be busy anyway, since you are staying a short time. I think you should stay at a monorail, and try to take a look at the other resorts while you are there to plan your next trip. The GF is lovely, especially if you and hubby are looking for a luxurious stay, and the Gasparilla Grill serves up some good snacks. If it is out of your price range (and don't worry about the view too much, you don't spend much time looking out windows) try one of the others. Whatever you do, have a magical time with your little one, and try not to rush thru your day.