If you could choose any resort....

[disneyfantotheend]

So I can make their FP reservations?? They are linked to me in my disney account already because I always make their FP reservations on previous trips we have taken together. I didn't realize I could make theirs in advance too though if they weren't staying on property also. That's a huge benefit!

ETA: I stand corrected. Per the FP fact link, it does say you can indeed make FPs for friends and family without a reservation. I learn something new everyday.

I do not think that information is correct. I would look into it. I think only parties with an onsite reservation can make the FPs 60 days out, even if you are linked to them.

 

[hlm2007]

To answer everyone about being close together with the friends traveling with us - it's because they have 2 girls the same ages as my 2 girls and they are like family to us. We get to see them 2-3x per year and the kids are inseperable when together We hopefully won't be at the resorts a ton but we are used to staying at a townhouse in Windsor Hills off property where the adults have space and time to hang out at night while the kids play. They all prefer to have some down time so that they can just be together without an agenda. Many nights we plan to stay for fireworks only for the kids to decide they want to head back to the townhouse early....LOL

 

[disneyfantotheend]

To answer everyone about being close together with the friends traveling with us - it's because they have 2 girls the same ages as my 2 girls and they are like family to us. We get to see them 2-3x per year and the kids are inseperable when together We hopefully won't be at the resorts a ton but we are used to staying at a townhouse in Windsor Hills off property where the adults have space and time to hang out at night while the kids play. They all prefer to have some down time so that they can just be together without an agenda. Many nights we plan to stay for fireworks only for the kids to decide they want to head back to the townhouse early....LOL

MAYBE have the other family look into renting points, if you can stay at a resort with both DVC and regular rooms. It is much cheaper than paying for a room through Disney. The problem with that is availability is often very limited.

 

[HopperFan]

Forget coordinating hotels, best advice even if same hotel is MEET in the park at a set time after the morning rush. You never know when someone needs to sleep late or take longer breakfast etc. Been there done that and the later meet is perfect. Let them stay wherever they want and can afford. Make sure you are Friends and Family on MDE, they have tickets, then YOU just book everyone at 60 days. I do it all the time with friends who live in Orlando or staying offsite but spending day with us.

My picks ............. hmmm and I'm not paying for it ............ and mostly MK/AK.

1) Poly
2) GF
3) Contemporary

And I picked them mostly because of their location, their costs and I'd never pay to stay there.

If you aren't really doing Epcot/DHS there is no reason to stay over there but if I had to pick it would be BWI.

I love WL and AKL but they are on the affordable end of Deluxe so I'd rather stay there when I am paying.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

If you really want to stay with the other family look into AKL. It’s awesome and may meet budget needs for your friends (I’d personally rather stay at Poly though).

 

[worldtraveler996]

I agree with those suggesting that you and the other family meet in the parks. There don't seem to be any values or moderates within walking distance to deluxe resorts. Because you want to go to MK the most, I would pick:

1) Poly
2) GF
3) Wilderness Lodge

I throw in Wilderness Lodge because it is a boat ride away from MK and it has a very kid-friendly atmosphere. It is also a very unique resort experience.

 

[Arielfan98]

I would choose the resort that is the most difficult to reserve (even if you had the money). I would imagine that's Poly, but don't ask me, I'm a value resort fan. In terms of close values, the only ones that come to mind are Pop and AoA, which are close to the MK resorts.

 

[crazylady]

I like the Beach Club/Swolphin scenario but FWIW, Shades does get FP at 60 days also if you prefer a Poly/Shades option.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

That is so exciting!!!

If I could stay anywhere it would be the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.

I would suggest since you both have 2 girls that the other family stay wherever they like and you could swap out your 2 sets kids every other night so they can be together.
My family used to vacation with our best friend neighbors and this is what we did.

Also, if you are allowed to share the details - which contest did you win and do you have any tips for winning? I have been trying to win a trip forever, but have no luck despite being very determined and a little crazy.

 

[jacknsally19]

Honestly, I think all of the deluxe resorts have pluses and minuses so its hard to say. I think you will be happy where ever you end up.

I just wanted to say if you do the monorail resorts your friends could stay at FW and be a boat ride away.

 

[hlm2007]

That is so exciting!!!

If I could stay anywhere it would be the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.

I would suggest since you both have 2 girls that the other family stay wherever they like and you could swap out your 2 sets kids every other night so they can be together.
My family used to vacation with our best friend neighbors and this is what we did.

Also, if you are allowed to share the details - which contest did you win and do you have any tips for winning? I have been trying to win a trip forever, but have no luck despite being very determined and a little crazy.

Yes I love the idea of swapping kids and we just discussed that today!

The contest we won is through Good Housekeeping. I found the sweepstakes through the mousesavers website and entered fairly religiously but not every day. Trust me, we never win ANYTHING so this came as a huge and wonderful surprise! So really no tips unfortunately besides that I keep the mousesavers site open in a tab on my computer and try to enter whatever sweepstakes are going on each day just listed on that site. I had only been doing this specifically and trying since March or April and we got the email about a week and a half ago that we were the winners

 

[longboard55]

Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk. We like the location, walk to Epcot, boat to Hollywood plus they have Jelly Rolls. Grand Floridian is nice but not much there.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

I would pick the GF because we have never stayed there and it is on my bucket list. If you ask my husband he would say BC. He is dying to try Stormalong Bay. We have been to the Poly a couple of times and love it there. Our usuals are Kidani and OKW. But they are both bus only, OKW does to the ferry to DS though.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

Yes I love the idea of swapping kids and we just discussed that today!

The contest we won is through Good Housekeeping. I found the sweepstakes through the mousesavers website and entered fairly religiously but not every day. Trust me, we never win ANYTHING so this came as a huge and wonderful surprise! So really no tips unfortunately besides that I keep the mousesavers site open in a tab on my computer and try to enter whatever sweepstakes are going on each day just listed on that site. I had only been doing this specifically and trying since March or April and we got the email about a week and a half ago that we were the winners

Lol I did the good housekeeping sweeps too. Happy to know someone actually wins and for it to be a disboarder!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

The Grand, Beach Club and Yacht, in that order.

For us it is Location, Location and transportation.

 

[Bostonbeans99]

Wilderness Lodge ( so quiet & relaxing & beautiful!) love my boat rides to MK.........Boardwalk, beautiful and fun & close to 2 parks!...or Grand Floridian.

I just got back a few days ago and I may be the only one saying this but a boat ride to he park is so much nicer than the monorail. I used to love the monorail.
I found this trip they smelled like a barn....and they are in need of a rehab.

 

[toodycat]

There’s no deluxe/value location within walking distance of each other. I would pick the GF. It is beautiful and luxurious without being pretentious. It’s very child-friendly and the CMs are wonderful. The restaurants and transportation options are all excellent.( I’ve never stayed at the CR. The proximity to MK is great, but I don’t know if it would have the magical feel that more themed resorts would have. I’ve stayed at the Poly a couple of times, but I find it quite dark-looking, had a couple of bad experiences and all of the drumming from the Spirit of Aloha drives me crazy, so it’s not my favorite, but other people swear by it.) If not the GF, i had a great time at the WL. The landscaping is breathtaking and the pool is excellent. Both Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Point are delicious. I also love the AKL. It’s certainly the most unique of the resorts. Coming home from the parks to view animals in the savannah is amazing. Have a great time, no matter where you stay.

 

[KH79]

Very exciting - congratulations!
I agree with the comments about meeting your friends in the parks.

With this in mind, our favorite resort is The Poly for its atmosphere, proximity to MK (if that’s important to you) and the friendly staff. You could pick a morning for breakfast at Ohana when everyone heads over to the parks together or view fireworks/the water pageant from the beach.

We had a bad experience at GF when we stayed at a promotional rate (booked through Disney). I wouldn’t recommend it.

As you’re deciding, check out YouTube videos by “TheTimTracker” - he does some great walk-throughs of the resorts!

Have fun planning!