I appreciate any help

[Mousie77]

My husband and I are planning on traveling with 2 young children (2 & 6) to Disney World in August for the first time. I took time to read many threads and seem to think that the best choices for hotels are CBR, CS or POR. Someone mentioned a boat ride from one of the hotels, can you please tell me which one? We have no clue what we will do for lunches and dinners. Please give us some ideas. We are moderate travelers on a budget. Thank you!!

 

[Metro West]

 

[youcansmellit]

We have stayed at all three. We originally liked CS because of the queen size beds. It is a conference resort so everything is a little more expensive. You might have a lot more people in suites. You think that will not take away from the experience, but if you are in shorts and a t-shirt and everyone at the restaurant is dressed up you feel like "that guy"

We like CBR the best. It has a nice pool for the kids and a nice playground. As long as you stay out of Shutters the food is ok. It is a huge resort, We rent a car every time so Its never a problem. You feel like you can relax.

POR I'm not sure why we didn't like it. It has been 5 years since we have been. So I'm sure that things are different now. I thought that it seemed a little dirty and more run down.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I haven't stayed at any of those, but I believe the Port Orleans resort offer a boat ride from the hotel to Downtown Disney and back.

 

[grumpytx]

POR does have a boat that runs to Downtown Disney. Agree with the comments on CS, big and kind of expensive, but the grounds are nice, bus service is not bad and pools are nice.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Though we've never stayed there, we visit this resort alot during our trips....we like the offerings in their food court, and the entertainment in the Scat Cat Club nightly......we bus there, eat, some drinks and catch the show and then leave via the boat ride from the rear of the resort to DTD and then bus back to our resort.....compact, neat resort.....

We totally dislike CSR....to spread out, you can be a huge walk to the pool and food court depending on where you're placed....don't like the food offerings or how the Market is run and as others have stated, convention resort can jam up the works...

 

[PrincessTiffany]

My husband and I are planning on traveling with 2 young children (2 & 6) to Disney World in August for the first time. I took time to read many threads and seem to think that the best choices for hotels are CBR, CS or POR. Someone mentioned a boat ride from one of the hotels, can you please tell me which one? We have no clue what we will do for lunches and dinners. Please give us some ideas. We are moderate travelers on a budget. Thank you!!

When are you going in August? There will probably be some general public free dining dates coming out for mid through the end of August dates. I'd keep that in mind. If the fd offer comes out you can add it to your existing reservation and they will credit the difference.

Port Orleans is our favorite Mod, but we have been traveling to WDW yearly since our kids were 2, 3, 4 and 7 and they, to this day, love All-Star Movies. I think for 2 and 6 year olds is is entirely magical to see all of those family Disney characters. But, really, all the Disney resorts are nice, you can't go wrong no matter which you chose.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hi everyone,

I'd very much appreciate some tips too, as we're planning on going towards the end of the year. Just need to save up a bit more money before we can book it. Haven't told the kids yet but I can't wait to see their little faces when we do!

Thanks in advance for any tips,

Zoe.

All you have to put down to book a package is $200.00. You don't have to pay it off or make another single payment until 45 days before your arrival date.

 

[luv2plan]

My boys LOVE the Pirate room at CBR and the pool is great, it has a zero entry and a small pirate ship play area. It is a BIG resort, from the Pirate rooms it will be 10-15 min walk to the pool & food court. That being said, I would still stay there. There is a bus stop right outside the Bldg with the Pirate rooms.

If you do not want the big, spread out resort, POFQ is ideal. It is the smallest resort and the wrought iron fences and foutains are beautiful and relaxing. The pool is fun, but not zero entry. There is a boat to DTD and POR AND you can fish at POR.

You can make your dining ADR's now, can't you? My boys love Sci-Fi Dine IN at Hollywood Studios, it is like you are at a drive-in movie, you sit in cars facing a movie screen, it's dark and cool inside and the sky, er, ceiling is lit up with stars. The bacon cheeseburger and shakes are awesome. I also love 1900 Park Fare, Crystal Palace and The Plaza at MK.

Happy planning!! SO excited for you! Your first trip!!

 

[ChattaAlley]

I really enjoyed the CBR. It was a beautiful place.

 

[natashag76]

My husband and I are planning on traveling with 2 young children (2 & 6) to Disney World in August for the first time. I took time to read many threads and seem to think that the best choices for hotels are CBR, CS or POR. Someone mentioned a boat ride from one of the hotels, can you please tell me which one? We have no clue what we will do for lunches and dinners. Please give us some ideas. We are moderate travelers on a budget. Thank you!!

I can't speak about your resort choices, as we have never stayed in any of them. We rented DVC points and ended being a bit cheaper than using rack rates. However, as far as traveling with small children on a budget...I've had tons of experience with that! We get the DDP, have breakfast at the hotel, pack a lunch so we can eat as soon as we are ready, rather than having to wait in line, look for a table, etc., and then get dinner before we leave or once we are at our hotel. If you get a room with a microwave and/or fridge or with a kitchen, you don't need to buy meals, you can make your own. I know some ppl won't do that on a vacation, you have to decide what works for you.
Also, are you driving or flying? If you have your own car, don't worry about transportation to the parks, I vote for driving yourself. As a resort guest, you can park for free at all the parks. And then you can come and go according your schedule not the boats and buses.
You may want to ask advice on the budget and Disney for Families boards. Great ideas over there!
Have a great trip!

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Hi. Of the options you mention, we have only stayed at CSR, and loved it. We never noticed any people in suits or expensive prices when we were there, but everyone has their own resort preferences. I would suggest getting one of the Disney dining plans, depending on how much you want to spend, and selecting and booking lots of character meals 180 days out! Depending on your kids preferences, you might want to try Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, or PHDIS at Hollywood Studios. If you have any little princesses, Askerhus in the Norway pavilion at Epcot is a less expensive dining option than the Castle at MK. We love our character meals!

 

[Mousie77]

Wow thanks for all the feedback!!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

HI, and welcome!

I've never stayed in any of those resorts, so I'm no help to you there. But I LOVE Disney in August!!!!

A few things that helped make those trips so much fun:
- The meal plan! We've enjoyed so many wonderful meals at WDW!! It's not about the food, it's about sitting together as a family to stop and talk about our day AS we enjoy the great food and terrific atmosphere. For my family, at least, it's a savings and worth every dime. And food can be expensive in WDW. If my numbers are correct, the meal plan will cost the 4 of you about $110 a day. That will buy 3 full sit down meals (including character meals) 3 counter service meals, and 3 "snacks" -- read that as a bagel or croissant or other breakfast food. Your little one can probably fill up with odds and ends from what the rest of you order.

- In the past, we've brought at least one small stroller. And there were times when my older daughter, at age 6 or 7, was the one in the stroller (usually as we headed towards the resort at night) while we carried her younger sister.

- We get to the parks every day before they open. The first time, it was "shortly after opening." Nope, not good enough for us any more. "Before opening" is key.

_ Hit amazon and get a Misty Mates personal mister or two. They're lightweight, take up next to no room,don't require batteries, and make those hot humid August days so much more bearable!!!

- Plan to go back to your resort for a swim and/or nap every day. We get to the parks for Rope Drop, spend the morning doing the park, then head home shortly after lunch. We then return to the parks for dinner and the evenings. Afternoons are brutally hot and crowded.

 

[Mousie77]

Thank you Aliceacc! Your suggestions were great and you were right on with the meals. The plan is about $415 for the family. I think we will go that route. We spent alot more than that when we went to Disneyland without a meal plan. Thank you!

 

[Aliceacc]

Thank you Aliceacc! Your suggestions were great and you were right on with the meals. The plan is about $415 for the family. :

Thank goodness! I teach math, but I've been known to make the occasional computation mistake-- it's always so embarassing!