I'm so torn on which resort :(

[footballmouse]

We have POR booked for our Sept trip. There will be 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 boys (11-17). My kids aren't little, none of them under 100 lbs. I've requested a room w/a Murphy bed. My 11 yr old said that the trundle bed would still make him feel like he's sleeping on the floor (which I agree). The 13 yr old said he would sleep on the Murphy bed if we would get that room. We are saving 1 day as a resort day to play around on the grounds and they wanted a fun pool.

The kids would really like to go to BB but I vetoed that b/c 1) we have season passes to an amusement park for the summer near our home which includes a water park that we will be taking advantage of probably once a week during the summer and 2) we're only going to be there for 4 days before we go on our Disney Cruise and I we already have 3 days for parks.

I'm thinking that maybe I could try to talk them in to staying at All Star Sports and book 2 rooms, which would only be $20 per nite more, and we would be more comfortable but then they would loose the fun pool and the ammenities that come w/a moderate resort (fishing, bikes, boat to DTD) and I would be willing to go to BB instead of having a resort day.

When we go down (usually 4 yrs between trips) we stay in a Value (when the kids were smaller) or off property. This will be our last trip as a family, my oldest graduates in June & then will be enlisting after the trip. This is a huge trip for us w/the cruise so I was hoping to make it special.

Any thoughts on changing or keeping the resort?

 

[dazednconfused]

Hi,
With 3 teenage boys, it's no wonder you're considering 2 rooms. I think your plan to stay at AS Sports is a good one. Everyone will be more comfortable, I am sure. You'll have 2 bathrooms and enough beds for everyone to have a good night's rest. Blizzard Beach is also a great idea, since the pools at the value resorts do not have slides and other cool stuff the water parks have.

I'm sure you and your family will have a great vacation. Kudos to your eldest for choosing to serve in the military. And kudos to you for being such a thoughtful mother and planning this special vacation for your family!

 

[XYSRUS]

Two rooms at a Value, for sure. Those boys aren't little and everyone deserves decent beds. Plus, There will be more room overall.

 

[Celestia]

The added bathroom is a huge plus for us in getting two rooms! That alone seals the deal for us!

 

[fefferdilly]

Our family has landed on staying where the resort/layout bring the most enjoyment, because a Disney day is exhausting, the room time is brief. We love POR, and because French Quarter is sooo close, you have more options for pre/after park activities, pools and food.

We took this "don't fret the room" theory to the ultimate test on our Dream Oct 2011 cruise: Category 11C, one cabin, 4 adult size family (17 yo 6'3"+!!). I joked that we would be pulling oars with the rest of the engine room down on deck 2.

So we were busy-busy all day, hit the pillow, stare at the porthole " hey was that nemooooo, snore". We would do it again in a heartbeat, assuming we win the lottery.

But, this is us, and I would vote for POR, parks 2 days, BB 1 day, explore both POFQ, DTD, even consider a ride up to OKW and wander. Make the trip as magical as it can be, all the good stuff, a true send off for your son.

I will say, however, if your family dynamic is "give me my space", you can't go wrong with the 2 rooms at a value.

 

[GAN]

Not sure this is of interest to the OP, but have you considered renting DVC points? There is no guarantee you can get 2 Studios side-by-side, but you won't have that guarantee at a value either. For instance you could probably get Studio at Key West(which you could get to POR from) for around $100-130 per night including tax. You could go with a 2BR if it's in the budget but that might run closer to $250-300/nt. By doing this you could avoid "stepping down" from POR to AS. Just another option worth considering.

 

[DisneyWorldPlanner]

I agree two joining rooms would be a plus, and you will love the extra space and bathroom!

 

[mericletwins]

I am not a fan of the values, but I think two rooms with a day at Blizzard Beach, instead of a pool day at the resort may be the way to go. I would also encourage you to look into renting DVC points. OKW is a beautiful resort. SSR might also be an option that would work for you because they now have two feature pools there.

 

[lynn46356]

We are a family of 5, myself, DH, DS23, DS22, and DS13. In 2010 we had our first complete family trip to WDW in 10 years. We booked two rooms at POP and everyone was HAPPY! No bed sharing, no late night television complaints from each other, etc. If I have to do it over again, which won't be for awhile, I will do the same thing. Happy Planning!

 

[PixieDustFanatic]

Your 13 year old will NOT fit on that Murphy bed in AB....my 5 year old barely fit in it and ended up sleeping in one of the queen beds. Go with 2 rooms at All Star Sports.

We had a refurbed room in AB last month. The rooms are nice and we love POR, but those rooms will be way too cramped for the 5 of you and your 13 year old will be stuck on the floor anyway.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I agree w/looking at renting DVC points. Maybe getting a 1 bedroom at BLT or AKL. Both have a king bed in the bedroom plus master bath, the living area has a queen sleeper & a twin sleeper, plus a full bath. My teens have slept in both pullouts and they are comfortable. I don't think all 1 bedrooms at AKL have the extra bath & sleeper chair, but BLT does.

We have also stayed in a Cabin at FW. The bedroom has a double bed & set of bunks. The living area has a double murphy bed.

 

[GAN]

I agree w/looking at renting DVC points. Maybe getting a 1 bedroom at BLT or AKL. Both have a king bed in the bedroom plus master bath, the living area has a queen sleeper & a twin sleeper, plus a full bath. My teens have slept in both pullouts and they are comfortable. I don't think all 1 bedrooms at AKL have the extra bath & sleeper chair, but BLT does.

We have also stayed in a Cabin at FW. The bedroom has a double bed & set of bunks. The living area has a double murphy bed.

To add to this ...I'm fairly certain that at AKV -Kidani the 1BR offer an extra bathroom, which is a huge Plus with 5 people.

 

[Belle83]

2 rooms at AS Sports would be my pick! You need two bathrooms! I would also look into the FW Cabins.

I wouldn't rule out Blizzard Beach. I went as a teenager and *loved* it. When I went back at age 20, I made a point to go to BB again. Disney water parks are awesome.

 

[cajunbaby1]

Two words---two bathrooms!! With that many boys ya gotta have 2

 

[footballmouse]

This would mess up the ddp for us to change resorts, but we could pay for the upgrade. I didn't think we could get the ddp by renting points. How hard is it to change if we're already booked thru a ta.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

This would mess up the ddp for us to change resorts, but we could pay for the upgrade. I didn't think we could get the ddp by renting points. How hard is it to change if we're already booked thru a ta.

Did you get the free dining? If so you won't be able to get free dining if renting points. You can still get the dining plan, you just have to pay out of pocket for it

 

[tink_n_pooh]

And I can't believe I'm going to say this... I would go for the 2 rooms at a value over cramming into one room at POR.

I am a resort snob, I admit it. We are DVC members and every once in awhile we spend one or two nights at a value to save points on the weekends and every time I say never again.

In the OP's situation I think having 2 bathrooms is a must!

 

[3pletprincesses]

As much as I LOVE POR, I would rent 2 rooms in your situation. We were going to be 6 in our POR room this coming August and I could only imagine how bad it was going to be but my sister decided to tag along with her bf and therefor we are shipping a feew of our kids next door to their room to give us breathing space LOL I was starting to dread the POR room for all of us