If you could have your pick of resorts...

[lynzi2004]

DH and I are planning a trip sometime next year (2018) with our kids DD5, DS4, and currently trying for a 3rd We went to Disney last year and actually tent camped at Fort Wilderness! We only stayed a few nights and did 2 MK days. It was a surprise trip and we all loved it! But, with hopes to include a baby in the mix and our DDs request to stay in a hotel, we are looking at other options.

We bought PHs with the 4 days/3 days free option last fall so tickets are purchased. This trip to Disney will probably be the last one for awhile, there are just other things we want to see. If we get pregnant again, we might even wait till the baby is a bit older but still free (under 3).

All that being said, DH has given me semi-free reign on where we stay. Requests are nice resort pools (aka waterslides both for bigger kids and baby/toddler), ease of transportation, and nice themes. Renting DVC points is not out of the question either. I'm thinking:

1. Contemporary: Easy for naps, walking distance to MK, not too crazy about themeing and know nothing about the pool situation
2. Wilderness Lodge: We like to camp, we like the outdoors, maybe this would be the best of both worlds?!?!
3. Old Key West/Saratoga Springs (DVC): Would these give us the laid back vacation feel and plenty of room or are they just going to feel out of the way?
4. Caribbean Beach: For some reason, CBR has always been on my bucket list! The pool situation looks awesome, but I know they are going to start some construction soon.

Obviously, my hubby won't let me completely break the bank. We have some character meals that we would like to do and staying a 8-10 days when we have really only stayed 3-4 is going to give us sticker shock I'm sure But I'm thinking $250-$300 a night would be reasonable and hopefully possibly with either discounts or DVC. Time of the year would likely be April/May or maybe early December.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. If you talk renting DVC points, know that you will want a 1BR at BLT if you have two kids and a pack and play. Ease of naps gets thrown out windows when you have to fold out a sofa and have a pack and play. Studios are very small and make poor use of space. A CR Tower or Garden Room is much better laid out for 4+infant.

2. 50% of the boats from WL will require a stroller fold; 3 parks are accessed via bus (stroller fold).

3. Buses everywhere. This would be stroller folding.

4. I'd avoid with construction, but I'm notoriously construction averse.

One thing I will note is that early December is the highest demand time of year for DVC, so if you want to rent points, you have to be prepared to pay home resort premium and book at 11 months. Even Saratoga and OKW have some issues those weeks booking studios (gaps at 7 months).

With 3 littles, I'd go for a CR tower room or BLT 1BR, with some preference for the 1BR with the baby in the bedroom near the kind bed, kids in the living space. But the tower room would be cheaper.

 

[loves to dive]

I doubt you are going to get CR for under $300 at that time of year. Possibly could get WL if you found a WDW discount and a stacked discount somewhere like Orbitz. A cabin at WL might be a possibility. Have you looked at Swan/Dolphin? They have a great pool, their prices can be on the level of a moderate at Disney. They aren't really theamed Disney but do share in most of the amenities. If you need transport from the airport you are going to have to arrange that yourself and they don't have MBs so you can't charge back there but you can use EMH and disney transportation and can send packages back to the room. Renting points is very iffy, rarely can you cancel, you have to pay up front and the time of year you listed is kind of prime time since F&G happens in the spring and then Christmas.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Oops, missed the sub-$300/night.

For that, you are looking at a Moderate, or point rental for a studio at SSR or OKW.

 

[lynzi2004]

Thanks all! I might could get hubby to go up to $350 but I know that would be the max. This gives me an idea about what may or may not be possible. How are the CR pools? Do they have a toddler area?

 

[100acreHiker]

CR pool is fine (my kids liked the slide) but it's nothing special and the area is a little drab and sterile. There is a toddler splash area. It's convenient to MK. We didn't love the resort--I did love the rooms--but the reason to stay there is because it's convenient to MK. I would consider WL because the theming is nice and the pool is nice and it sounds like theming and splash area is important to you. If you wait for room discounts, you can find probably a standard room for under $350.

 

[lynzi2004]

One more question if our price range is a moderate: Which moderate to pick and why? Coronado Springs looks gorgeous but really out of the way?

 

[dkrauss]

Keep in mind Caribbean Beach is going into a "2" year major refurb.............For under $300/night you'll have trouble other than maybe WL. If you rent DVC points you may broaden you availability to CR. Just understand with Renting DVC..........you'll have to put 1/2 up front for deposit.............

Doug

 

[gingerfeathers]

To give you an idea... this year, room rates for Wilderness Lodge (one of the cheapest deluxe resorts) during regular season range from about $420-$462/night. If you go during a value season, you could get a room there around $345 on weekdays, $370 Fri-Sat. Of course, this doesn't include discounts. Getting it under $300/night is going to be iffy at best, particularly during the times you're looking.

I wouldn't do Caribbean Beach at this point with the refurb.

Good luck! Here are some resort prices... this may help at least give you an idea of what to expect. The rates obviously will change for 2018: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-deluxe-2017.htm

 

[Figmentmommy]

One more question if our price range is a moderate: Which moderate to pick and why? Coronado Springs looks gorgeous but really out of the way?

I was just going to suggest Coronado Springs! A little more luxury appeal for a moderate resort and the pool theming and slide are excellent. They have a smaller kiddie pool but no slide there if I recall. We've stayed at CSR several times and it's definitely one of our favorites. Keep in mind that this resort will also be undergoing construction soon - not sure if the timeframe - but I don't know if that would necessarily scare me away from staying there.

 

[lynzi2004]

Thank you, you guys are definitely giving me something to look into!

I hadn't paid much attention but had no idea that resort prices were that high. Just going off the Disney website, when you scroll over "Book Your Stay", it listed Deluxe Resorts starting at around $300 a night. Now I realize that there is Value and High Season but I still assumed that $300-$350 could get you a room at the average deluxe most days when factoring in discounts. I've talked to DH about what you all have mentioned and he agrees we might have to up what we are considering on spending.

That being said, for people who typically stay at Deluxes, what do your average vacations at Disney cost (room wise) if you don't mind me asking? I'm not saying it might not be worth it but $3-4000 on a room for a week blows my mind! lol We are from the Midwest, never fly anywhere, and typically stay at Hampton/Comfort Inn type accommodations on a typical road trip. So my DH is getting hives thinking about how much something like this might cost! But, when he factors in the the cost of taking me to Tahiti, the cost of a room at the Poly isn't looking so bad

 

[Hopefully]

Values, maybe a discounted Mod are Hampton/Comfort Inn price range.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well, to give an example, the 2017 rack rates for Wilderness Lodge at their lowest for the lowest-end room start at $345 at their lowest point (certain dates in January and February and August-September) and go up as high as $612 a night. Even at low cost, that $354 room goes to $370 on weekends.

Other deluxe start a lot higher (GF in the same seasons starts at $646; Poly starts at $508). Cheapest a Contemporary Garden Wing room starts is $425; Tower starts at $610.

 

[lynzi2004]

Values, maybe a discounted Mod are Hampton/Comfort Inn price range.

I realize that and that's why my DH was letting me splurge on the Disney trip. I was just saying that is the type of place we typically stay on vacation, so that you might understand why I thought $300ish was splurging. Just maybe not quite enough! lol

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

If you like the outdoors/camping I'd look into the Fort Wilderness cabins. Still pricy, but adds an option to the mix. The Wilderness Lodge is definitely not like camping. It's my favorite deluxe resort and a great option, but still a Disney Deluxe. Maybe look into the swan/dolphin? Great location in the heart of WDW but maybe a smaller price tag. Don't give up hope and keep looking for discounts or point rentals. No matter what, you will be at Disney so that's always a good day. Good luck with number three

 

[IrishNYC]

I realize that and that's why my DH was letting me splurge on the Disney trip. I was just saying that is the type of place we typically stay on vacation, so that you might understand why I thought $300ish was splurging. Just maybe not quite enough! lol

Splurging and splurging on Disney resorts are two different things! DH and I are old enough that we like nicer hotels for travel, but aren't in a financial position to just spend. Mods at Disney are above our normal hotel splurge point, while the values are well below that point for us, the comfort factor is below what we're willing to put up with on vacation. I'd prefer the convenience of a deluxe, but what you get for that price is not worth it to me.

 

[PinkBudgie]

When I started looking in to our first WDW trip I was looking at The Poly. Several years went by and the price went WAY up so I asked around for another choice and was told to check out Port Orleans French Quarter. So glad we did! We went in 2014 for 13 nights and only paid $225 for garden view room. (I just looked and this year that same time frame is still only $131). The idea of that theme wasn't thrilling but when we got there we found it very charming. We stepped out of our room right in to a quaint little place. Little walkway "roads" and trees and the river. The swimming pool has a dragon slide and there is a boat for easy access to Disney Springs. There is only one bus stop and it is a short walk from any building to the food court. And you can walk over to Riverside and swim and do things there too. We are planning to go again in 2019 (we are normally Disneyland people) and I ask myself if I would go anywhere else next time and I'm not sure I would. I have a feeling we will be back.

 

[Vasiliki76]

Would your two older kids sleep in a sofa bed together? We last did BLT renting studio points with 5 and 2 year old and pack n play. It was tight quarters in there, but we didn't mind. We went to the balcony when things got cramped. It would drive some people crazy, but we didn't care. It was cheaper and we could walk to and from magic kingdom for naps. The BLT pool was basic, but we liked it because it had a small slide, it was easy to keep track of the kids and it was quiet. If room is important to you I would not recommend. It did come in at around $300 per night in April which was 52% off rack rates at the time.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I would look into renting DVC points. We were able to reserve a few nights at the Boardwalk for about the same price as paying cash for Port Orleans Riverside. The costs are different for the various resorts but it's definitely worth checking out. For first choice, you'd want to reach out 11 months out when members are able to book at their home resort. The only hitch is that you need to pay the whole thing up front, at least with the company we used.

 

[lynzi2004]

Thank you all for the replies! These last few replies have given me hope, although all have been helpful! I'm thinking we will definitely do DVC if we do deluxe, but the POFQ's new kiddie pool looks awesome and something my littles would totally enjoy! Decisions, decisions!

I wish the boat situation was different at Wilderness Lodge, that feels the most like us, but I'm not a fan of the boat situation at the Fort, so I'm afraid I won't really like it at the Lodge either.