I'm soooooooo confused!

[zachnlucy]

We are 2 adults and 3 kids, ages 9, 9 and 11. We're going to WDW in 4/06 for 7 nights. I just discovered these boards a couple of weeks ago.

First we chose POR, then switched to CR, now I'm leaning towards AKL. I'm aware of the price differences which are important, but since this is my kids' first trip to WDW, I did want it to be special.

Where should we go? We won't have a car and waiting in line for busses ain't on the top of my wish list, but it really isn't that big a deal.

Puhleeze help!

 

[cara loves the poly]

Staying on the monarail is HUGE! Everything is minutes away w/ no wait. We took our first trip last April. We personally believe it is well worth the money.

 

[pennst8r]

With 5 of you---we're in the same boat---if you only want one room, your choices are limited to the Deluxes anyway. POR has a trundle bed but not sure what the age limit for it is. My DS was on it our past 2 trips, and it's not something I'll make him do again --and he's only 5.

That said, waiting for the buses isn't that big a deal, especially at POR. The longest we waited was about 10 min.

 

[jjohnson]

For the first time I would stick with CR. AKL seems so far away from all the action & we loved being on the monorail.

 

[skiingwife]

I'm in the same boat as you - first time to WDW and 3 children (12, 10 and 7). After much research and help from the Dis'ers, I chose to stay at Polynesian and Yacht Club. While at the Polynesian we'll take the monorail or boat (which they say is a lovely ride) to MK or Epcot. And while at Yacht Club we'll walk or boat to Epcot and MGM. The only time we'll need the bus is when we go to Animal Kingdom. I really wanted to avoid riding buses. Hope this helps.

 

[cara loves the poly]

i've heard akl is great for kids,but it is not on the monorail and you really only need one day at Animal Kingdom. I think w/ the children it is worth it to be on the monorail.

 

[cara loves the poly]

but then again, your kids are at the age where they CAN wait a bit for the buses and such. I think probably they are old enough that you could go the other route to save the money, but the convenience of the monorail is awesome. Sorry just randomly thinking and typing.

 

[minnie61650]

Transportation times according to Passporter

PO buses--------- Contemporary--------AKL
MK--10 min-------20 min(mono)-------20 min
Epcot--10 min--------15 min-------------15 min
MGM---15 min---------20min-------------10 min
AK----15 min---------20 min------------5 min
DTD---15 min---------35 min__________15 min

Pick the resort that you would like to at the most.
Have fun at Disney!

 

[rcraw45425]

Unfortunately, AKL and WL rooms are smaller than the other Deluxes and only sleep 4 and one in a crib. Believe me, those rooms ARE smaller, too. We wound up (family of 4) using an airbed for our "kicking child" at WL and it was cramped. I'd vote for a monorail resort like CR huge rooms, 2 queens and a daybed) or one of the EPCOT resorts, especially the YC (Stormalong Bay, great pool for kids). We love the WL but the rooms there are tight.

 

[cara loves the poly]

The rooms at Poly are large! And you are on the monorail.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

If you can swing the cost I would say CR or POLY. The POLY is very laid back, large rooms, great pools and on the monorail line. The CR is very bustling, large rooms, good pools and on the monorail line. The CR has a game room that is fantastic. We are going in 23 days with one night CR and 7 nights POLY LVC.

The monorail is a great convenience and will save you a lot of time!

 

[minnie61650]

Unfortunately, AKL and WL rooms are smaller than the other Deluxes and only sleep 4 and one in a crib...........

Correction AKL has deluxe rooms on the 5th floor which sleep 5.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

2 other choices to consider are the Ft. Wilderness cabins. Very nice and the benefit of having a kitchen. Or renting points from a DVC owner. Also having a kitchen but pricey. The cabins or DVC would require some busses but the transportation can be part of the fun!

 

[wendypooh]

AKL is a deluxe, and does NOT share it's bus with any other resort, which is a plus. As pointed out, the deluxe rooms do sleep 5. It is also, besides the WL, the most economical deluxe resort. If your kids like animals, it's a must. That's why we are staying on our next trip. It is farther away from "it all", but then again, you can use the bus to get to "it all", and not actually have to be staying right there in it........... if you know what I mean. It's up to your family, and your budget. The monorail resorts are awesome, I wish we could afford one........... but, that's the one and only drawback........ the cost. I'd say, since your kids are older, research each resort, then decide. However, keep in mind that you can GO ANYWHERE and explore, eat, whatever by using ANY of the buses, or transportation. ( You cannot pool hop however). Good Luck.......... you really won't be disappointed where ever you choose. For us, AKL was the best choice.

 

[YCFAN]

I would never drive to the parks. I would ONLY use the bus or other Disney transportation to get there. It much more convenient. Disney transportation drops you off right there at the park and you don't have to take trams, etc. I love being able to go to Disney and not have to worry about driving a car. The only times I would drive would be from one resort to another for dinner maybe. I definitely wouldn't drive to Downtown Disney. I'd ALWAYS use bus transportation to go there. It's just way too crowded and the area is much too large to use your own transportation in my opinion.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'd go POly or CR to be on the monorail.

 

[princess mom of 4]

You can't beat the CR for the convenience - We love the monorail, but at the end of the night when the line for the monorail is soooooo long, you can just walk on over to the CR in 5-10 minutes!!!

 

[zachnlucy]

Thank you all for your responses. I think we're gonna bite the bullet and book the CR! Hummmmmmmm, now the ? is garden v tower.

I figure if we're staying at the CR, might as well blow an extra $300 and stay in the tower. My lame effort to rationalize it is that I only have to save an additional $40 a month from now til then.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Disney transportation is definitely the way to go!!!! I've never waited too long for a bus and even so, it brings you right to the front of the park. If you rent a car you still have to park and walk and if going to MK you have to park at the T&TC and then take the monorail to the park. Besides, they charge so much to rent a car and if your a tourist you get hit with all these hidden fees.
I know the Poly can sleep 5 because they have a daybed in the room.

 

[stm61]

you can have 5 in Contemporary, it's on the monorail. We stayed there a few yrs ago and loved the convenience. This time we stayed at POR since it's the only moderate that will do 5. My ds just turned 12, he's 100 lbs, 5'1", and had no problem with the trundle bed. Since we also have a "kicker child" we placed an inflatable bed between the 2 beds and my dd's took turns on that. We thought the rm was large enough for 5. The sinks are outside the bathrm and there's a curtain you can pull to create a dressing area by the sinks. We thought the resort was beautiful and would stay there again.