I really want your resort opinions

[TNMomof3]

I'm gonna give you guys our vacation scenario, and ask for your opinions on where you'd stay. I really want to get a variety of opinions, because every little bit I hear...helps me get a better picture of what we should do.

Thanks in advance

Here are the particulars - family of 5 (kids ages - 9, 7, 18mos.)
We have been to WDW twice in the past year, staying at ASMo and AKL. We probably won't be returning to WDW for another couple of years after this trip.

We will be returning in May and staying the first 6 days at a BCV studio on rented points.

Where should we spend our last 3 days?

I'd really like to be in the MK resort area. I'm considering the following resorts -

Wilderness Lodge - price is right, we visited on our last trip for dinner, and I was a little "underwhelmed" compared to the AKL, but it was nice. Also, once the baby turns 3...we'll no longer be able to stay in a std. room here. Like proximity to FW. Somewhat concerned about transportation.

Contemporary garden wing - I'd love the convience of the monorail. Kids and DH would probably get a thrill out of being at CR. Not as much themeing as some of the other resorts.

Polynesian gv concierge - very pricey for us, but if we stay here, I'd like it to be concierge for an extra bit of pampering. Monorail, relaxing feel to resort to finish up our stay. I think the family would be very happy and impressed with concierge services, cost is probably the only thing holding me back on this one. Yes, we can afford it, but should we really spend that much?

Sorry this has been so long, but in your opinion would you save the money and go with WL, splurge and go Poly concierge, or split the difference and stay on the monorail line in a CR garden wing?

Thanks for any and all honest opinions! It really helps make a tough decision easier.

 

[catheren]

I personaly love the WL but after reading your post I suggest the Poly. If you can afford it, then do it in style.

Poly is still one of my favorites, but if your not going to be at the resort all day, why pay. We save the Poly for our non-park days.

 

[Kallison]

If you can swing the Poly coincerge, how about the CR towers? We stayed there in Sept. 01 and loved it. The room is huge by Disney standards, loved the talking elevator, the pin cart, shopping area, rolling out of bed to go to Chef Mickey's, less than 10 min. walk to get to MK, great arcade area, seeing the Electric Water Pageant from our balcony and watching the monorail glide through. I don't understand why people don't feel it is Disney themed, you got the monorail running through it for crying out loud! I almost let sentiment here sway me from staying there and I just loved it.

 

[Janet2k]

TNMomof3, since you won't be back at WDW for quite awhile (or so you *think,* hee hee), I would vote for the splurge of a concierge room at any of the deluxe resorts. You will only be doing this for three nights, so that should keep a rein on your costs (well, at least it will a little bit).

I haven't stayed at the Poly yet, but have always read such nice things about their concierge service. I have stayed at both the WL and CR and really enjoyed those resorts. I stayed at the CR in a Tower Club room last Christmas. The rooms were decorated a little too garishly for me, however, the rooms were very large. Plus, I really enjoyed the entire resort complex and its swimming pool area. I last stayed at the WL a few years ago, and my family had a wonderful time there. You can't go wrong with either of those resorts.

Have fun deciding what to do. You'll make the right choice for your family, have no fear.

 

[jeanmarie]

We (Me, DH and DS-5) stayed at the Poly in November. I had booked garden view concierge, and we were upgraded to lagoon view! All of the CMS were great. We were well taken care of during our stay.

One of the real advantages is the concierge lounge. It is a wonderful thing with kids. You can grab a quick breakfast on the way out to the parks, snacks all day, food and dessert at night.

DS loved being able to serve himself in the "snack room" or crash in front of the big screen tv with the other kids for a break.

The monorail was great!!! So convenient for both MK and Epcot.

Check out Tikiman's website for more info on the Poly - he's the expert! http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/index.html

The only problem with staying concierge is that is the ONLY way I want to travel now.

 

[Scoootch]

My vote would definetly be for the Poly Conceirge -- if you can afford the splurge and won't be back for a few years than I would go for it. Conceirge or not, the Poly is one of my favorites all the way around and as you noted, you will have the monorail there. Not to mention as someone else stated about the CR -- you can see the electical water pagent (as well as fireworks) from the Poly too.

While I like the theming at the WL and the price is definetly right, I stayed there this past Oct.(over a weekend) and found the room itself to be VERY small. I have a 2yr old son and barely had room to put the stroller in the room without having to fold it up completely let alone walk around without having to move out of the way for dh to pass by. The rooms at POR-R seem bigger than at WL. Just my opinion though. The rest of the resort was wonderful though.

If you don't want to splurge for the Poly, CR would be my 2nd choice.

Have a great time!

 

[PamNC]

If budget allows, I'd say Poly concierge. If you're not going back for a couple of years, why not splurge? BUT, if budget doesn't allow, and I can certainly relate to that as we all at times have budget constraints, I would recommend the Contemporary garden wing. We stayed there once and had a blast - loved the proximity to MK and the whole exciting feel of the Contemporary. I'm 40 years old and have visited WDW since it's opening, but the monorail going through the hotel still amazes and delights me.

Anyway, I think you would enjoy the Contemporary. The pool is nice, the CM's are great...we had a fantastic time. We lucked up somehow and were upgraded to a Jr. Suite...that'll probably never happen again. The rooms are big.

Have fun wherever you wind up staying.

PamNC

 

[Judgekw]

Wow I can't imagine five people staying in a studio room. I think that personally you would be very happy just staying in the Polynesian non conceirge. The rooms are very big and being on the monarail is fabulous! Why pay all the extra money for the room when in reality you will be at the parks most of the day. You still get all the ambiance and convience of the Polynesian without the cost.

 

[TNMomof3]

Originally posted by Janet2k
TNMomof3, since you won't be back at WDW for quite awhile (or so you *think,* hee hee),

Oh Janet, you are so right! LOL Those annual passes have caused many an extra trip They are expiring in June though, and I know DH is itching to try another vacation destination. It probably will be a couple of years down the road.

Thanks so much to you all for the opinions! It helps so much

I did forget to mention that I will get to try out the CR garden wing in January. The family won't be there, but I'm staying there with some girlfriends, so I'll get a taste of what that is like.

I'm thinking we'll do the parks harder toward the beginning of the vacation, then spend the last few days lightly hitting the parks and just relaxing like we do on a normal beach vacation.

Judgekw, are the BCV studios smaller than an ASMo room. Since the youngest is just a baby...she'll be in the pack -n- play. While ASMo was tight with us all, we made it through OK. I do look forward to being able to spread out a little more though.

Thanks again, and keep 'em coming!

 

[chrisp]

I'd vote CR Tower. We stay at the CR all of the time now and like it the best. I'd add to the "theme" comments - staying in the tower and waking up in the morning to the faint sound of singing coming from Chef Mickey's - then going out the door and watch/listen to everyone enjoying themselves at Chef Mickey's - starts the day off just right!

 

[daannzzz]

I love the WL but the room is smaller and probably not the best choice. Transport has always been fine when we were there. I am sure you would have fun there.
I am not a fan of the Contemporary but if you think the kids would like it it might be okay for you and there is plenty of room there.
I vote for Polynesian non concierge. I personally don;t think you get enough "extras" to warrent the cost. If you could get a discount then it would be okay. Save the money and go for a non concierge room at the Poly. The rooms are big, the pool fun the grounds beautiful and the transportation options great. Oh... and my favorite restaurant is there too. 'Ohana.

 

[rascalmom]

We've stayed at GV Poly, GW Contempory & GW Garden. I loved all three - this is what I would suggest for you. While the Poly is our all time favorite, I would go with the CR. The layout of the bathrooms allows for more privacy than at the Poly & with a family of 5 that can contribute to the peace & serenity of your vacation! (The potty is in a seperate room either w/wo a sink for the Tower, GW.) Also, my kids actually preferred the CR pool. It's quite large and has a great slide. DH & I preferred there pool area because it has a hot tub. The food court at the CR had better tasting food. Most of all, one of our best memories is sitting out on our CR Tower balcony looking out over MK & watching the fireworks. GW was great too though, we had a first floor room & felt comforable letting our kids play in the grassy area outside our patio. Good luck with our decision! (Our AP's allowed each of those stays, but there now expired . Can't wait to go back though. I'm hoping DH will go for new AP's next summer.

 

[JulesMom]

I also vote for the splurge on Poly Conc.

We have wanted to do this for a long time and hope to in June if we can get a discounted room.

 

[wdwnutze]

Another vote for a splurge on the Poly! What a great way to end a vacation. It is an awesome resort that is very peaceful and relaxing. The monorail convenience is a big plus especially with children.

 

[BCV23]

Another vote for the Poly concierge. The beach and pool are steps away, the rooms are large and the breakfast is so convenient with children. You can eat in the lounge or take a tray back to the room and the kids can eat while they watch cartoons

In the evening you can watch the fireworks from the lounge or beach while you enjoy a glass of wine.

A great way to end your vacation.

 

[pollyanna]

Although thw WL is my hands down fave resort, I can not imagine squeezing a crib in there.

How small is the studio? Someone else feels that is a tight squeeze also. Personally, I don't like the theming of the Contemporary ...BUT the north wing is within walking distance to MK..which is very convienient.

 

[eeyore0062]

Of your choices, I would go for the garden wing room at the Contemporary! The size can't be beat, especially with a family of your size. The rooms are very large, with 2 queen sized beds, and a day bed. The layout of the bathroom is also the best of any we have found in WDW!

We had a Bay Lake view, and could lie in bed and watch the Electrical Water Parade. It is "Mickey' Resort" in our opinion, and everywhere you look there are Mickey icons. The kids love the monorail going through the building, and there is nothing like that less than 5 minute walk to the MK... it is like having the MK right in your own front yard! We had great luck with all of the transporation options, as well! The staff was very friendly and accomodating. They have a relatively new playground for the kids, a HUGE game room and 2 really nice pools, one with a good slide!

I would definitely consider staying at the Contemporary!