Just....Can't....Decide....

[frisco]

I'll try to make a long story short:

Going for 13 nights in August. It's me, my wife and our 3 kids (8, 2 and 2). Staying at Wilderness Lodge (our favorite resort).

My MIL has had a really tough year, and my wife and I have been discussing taking her with us. She can drives me up a wall at times, but she is helpful, and we thought it'd be nice. We couldn't do WL, as we'd have 6 of us. So, we decided, if she goes, we'd stay at the Grand Floridian. Never stayed there.

I'm torn. We LOVE WL, but the idea of staying at GF seems very alluring. It seems to be the pampering paradise of WDW. I just worry that we may end up really missing WL.

I'm not ecstatic about sharing a room with my MIL, but we spend such little time in the room, it's no big deal. Plus, it would be nice to go on some of the bigger rides with my wife and older son. My MIL is really cool about hanging out with the little guys when we hit the big rides.

I know - What an unfortunate decision to have to make.

What would you do?

 

[Minnie824]

Can I ask what type of room you'd be getting at the GF? Would it be just a regular room? If it is, I would think that would be tight with 6 of you in there. I would suggest maybe looking into the villas at WL then you'd have more space and be at the resort you love.

 

[frisco]

Can I ask what type of room you'd be getting at the GF? Would it be just a regular room? If it is, I would think that would be tight with 6 of you in there. I would suggest maybe looking into the villas at WL then you'd have more space and be at the resort you love.

Standard room. She came with us last year and we stayed in a standard room at the Poly. It was plenty big for us. Like I said, we don't spend a lot of time in the room.

I thought about a 2 bedroom villa at WL, but the price was too much.

 

[SharonLowe]

Standard room. She came with us last year and we stayed in a standard room at the Poly. It was plenty big for us. Like I said, we don't spend a lot of time in the room.

I thought about a 2 bedroom villa at WL, but the price was too much.

Maximum occupancy at either the Poly or GF is 5 in a standard room. I realize you have twin 2YOs but I still think squeezing 6 into a room is pretty tough.

Have you considered a family suite at ASMu?

 

[jerseygirl81]

Have you considered two rooms at a Moderate? You would have more privacy and so would your MIL, maybe your 8 yr old could share the room with her and you would also have 2 bathrooms instead of 1 a definite bonus when trying to get ready to head into the parks. Linda

 

[grimley1968]

Another consideration might be the FW cabins. Can't remember if they sleep 5 or 6 adults, but they have an actual bedroom and a murphy bed in the living room, so you're not having to share with MIL. Also, the theme there is somewhat similar to WL.

 

[arielfan]

Why not do one of Deluxe rooms at the WL. It sleeps 6. Plus you can get CL.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I think the rooms at the GF or Polynesian are plenty big for 6, when 2 of the kids are only 2 years old. We've stayed at both and rooms are pretty big. We're a family of five (and our kids are older) and we've never had any problem at all.

 

[grimley1968]

I think the rooms at the GF or Polynesian are plenty big for 6, when 2 of the kids are only 2 years old. We've stayed at both and rooms are pretty big. We're a family of five (and our kids are older) and we've never had any problem at all.

I suppose they could technically do it, paying the fee for the extra adult (MIL) and having 2 kids under 3 years old. But, although rooms at Poly, CR and GF are bigger than other resorts, they would be mighty cramped with 6 people. Personally, I'd be pulling my hair out by the 3rd day. I'd choose a FW Cabin, a suite at one of the values, or a 1-bedroom villa at a DVC resort.

 

[2x_dis_dad]

Have you looked into renting DVC points and staying at Wilderness Lodge Villas? We have rented points on several occasions and it has always worked out great.

 

[natnelliesmom]

I think the rooms at the GF or Polynesian are plenty big for 6, when 2 of the kids are only 2 years old. We've stayed at both and rooms are pretty big. We're a family of five (and our kids are older) and we've never had any problem at all.

The rooms may be large enough.. but I believe you can only reserve these rooms for 4 people, and 1 under the age of 3. Unless they plan on not telling the resort that MIL is staying there, getting a reservation for this size room will be difficult.

We are staying in a one-bedroom villa at Old Key west, we could sleep 12 people in there! But the reservation is still only allowed for 4 people and 1 child under 3. That's just the rule.

-Sarah

 

[frisco]

The rooms may be large enough.. but I believe you can only reserve these rooms for 4 people, and 1 under the age of 3. Unless they plan on not telling the resort that MIL is staying there, getting a reservation for this size room will be difficult.

With the exception of Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge, all the Deluxes can be booked for 5, plus 1 child under 3.

 

[frisco]

Have you looked into renting DVC points and staying at Wilderness Lodge Villas? We have rented points on several occasions and it has always worked out great.

Yeah - Wasn't able to get the avalibility.

 

[frisco]

I suppose they could technically do it, paying the fee for the extra adult (MIL) and having 2 kids under 3 years old. But, although rooms at Poly, CR and GF are bigger than other resorts, they would be mighty cramped with 6 people. Personally, I'd be pulling my hair out by the 3rd day. I'd choose a FW Cabin, a suite at one of the values, or a 1-bedroom villa at a DVC resort.

Like I said, we all stayed in a standard room at the Poly last year and were just fine. There was more than enough room.

The average size of a hotel room is about 268 sq ft. Rooms at the 3 monorail resorts are huge, at over 400 sq ft.

 

[frisco]

Why not do one of Deluxe rooms at the WL. It sleeps 6. Plus you can get CL.

It's about $100 more per night than the GF.

 

[frisco]

Maximum occupancy at either the Poly or GF is 5 in a standard room. I realize you have twin 2YOs but I still think squeezing 6 into a room is pretty tough.

Have you considered a family suite at ASMu?

It's 5, plus 1 child under 3.

We want to stay at a MK resort for the convenience factor, at least for a couple more years.

 

[TJA]

Standard room. She came with us last year and we stayed in a standard room at the Poly. It was plenty big for us. Like I said, we don't spend a lot of time in the room.

I thought about a 2 bedroom villa at WL, but the price was too much.

Since you just stayed at Poly last year with MIL, you already know the cons of staying in one room + the pros of staying on the monorail. So if your only question here is should you splurge for GF or stay with WL, then my opinion is with MIL along, I'd go with GF most definitely for the larger room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since you just stayed at Poly last year with MIL, you already know the cons of staying in one room + the pros of staying on the monorail. So if your only question here is should you splurge for GF or stay with WL, then my opinion is with MIL along, I'd go with GF most definitely for the larger room.

I thought both the Polynesian and the CR had bigger rooms than the GF. I thought those rooms were a bit small. We stayed in Sugarloaf and had three in the room. I wouldn't attempt three adults and three kids even if it was allowed.

 

[CathieArms]

What about a villa instead? if you can afford to do that, it might answer all of your questions. You can stay where you prefer, but have a bit extra space to stretch out so that you don't get on each others nerves.

BTW - I think it's awesome that you'd take your MIL. You get big kudos for being a great husband and SIL.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Do it. Book the GF. Maybe you will find a new favorite. You will never know unless you try. What better excuse for trying it?!! I know how you feel about the MIL thing. My parents are coming with us and I know my DH was a bit torn but he is happy to have them along. They drive ME more crazy than him. Who knows how many more trips your MIL may be able to take? Life is short. It also makes great memories for your kids. Have fun!!