Kids' influence on resort selection

[Shells9]

Maybe this should go on the Family Board, but here goes:

Do your children have influence on which resort you stay at?

DD is 6. She loves to go anywhere, but Disney of course, is a favorite. She is also into watching the Travel Channel (I know, it's a little odd for a 6 year old, but we love her). She saw the Beach Club on there last weekend, and now she wants to stay there. I think Storm Along Bay is what got her. That, and the possiblilty of a view of Epcot, which she loves (told you she was a little odd, lol!). Personally (and selfishly), I love AKL, and DH, due to his frugality, loves the All Stars, but goes where we tell him to.

Should I sacrifice my own wants for hers and change my December ressies to the Beach Club -- which is just a long weekend, or wait until our longer trip next June and do Beach Club then, or maybe split the stay between Beach Club & AKL?

 

[Momof2boys]

Well, if SAB is one of the things that she really likes about CB, then I would wait until your June trip to stay here. You never know what the weather will be in Dec., and it would be a shame if it was too cold to swim. If you really want to stay at AKL then maybe she will agree to a split stay and everyone will be happy, or stay at AKL in dec. and try BC on your June trip.

 

[ducklite]

Until he starts paying, nope

Seriously, my son and DH & I seem to enjoy the same palces, so it's never been a problem.

Anne

 

[Nolcrest]

No, I wouldn't let my young kids influence my decision. They tend to change their minds with any media influence anyway. I choose by knowing what my family as a whole would enjoy and what we can afford at the time. Heck - it's Disney. The kids'll love just being anywhere there. Now when my older ones start paying my way they can make the decision.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I absolutely try to take their requests into consideration when deciding where to stay, but it really comes down to what we can afford. For example, we've booked CSR for next August, but if there are good rates for WL, we'll book there, because the kids have both said they would really like to stay there, and DH and I wouldn't have objections to trying something new.

I figure that regardless of who is paying for it, it is their vacation too, and they are only going to be little for a short time.

 

[momxx5]

The only influence the children have is..... the number of them.LOL!

Having 5 little blessings, we do not have a lot of options for an affordable trip to Disney. Ft.W canbins was a huge hit for our gang. Thanks to FTP!

If I were you I would stay at BC in the summer. My all time favorite it the YC! SAB, the views, the atmosphere, Epcot and MGM steps away. I would definitely stay there for your longer vacation.

Isn't the planning and dreaming fun!

 

[skiwee1]

Mine do but only because we have the same tastes! DD, 4, loves the Polynesian. I was telling DH last night that we are currently paying $344 a night to stay there in October. DH just about fell off the chair. He is usually in the dark about my Disney trips as he doesn't go. So anyway DH starts asking DD wouldn't she like the AllStars arena better. Yes he calls it that because he is very Disney deficient. DD said, "NO! I like the Polynesian". DH asked why and she had a whole list. She said she liked the vocano pool, the beach, the sprinkler, and most of all, the pink pina coladas! She is spoiled! LOL! So how could I possibly take this kid anywhere else? And why would I want to! She likes the finer places in life and so do I.

 

[disneyatl]

We've never had a problem before on deciding where to stay but we also didn't involve our daughter in the decisoin making. If you are on a budget, I sure wouldn't go broke just to please your kids. I think no matter where you stay, she will be happy just because it's Disney!

 

[Donnainnj]

I take their tastes into consideration, and if I am deciding between resorts and can't make up my mind I might ask them which they prefer. This trip we are doing AKL for part of our stay because of the combination of the rate and the fact that they love animals. We went for Boma's dinner there on our last trip, and the kids just loved the place. I think I would prefer BC, but I wouldn't get that rate for when we are going on this trip. I do like trying new places, (we haven't stayed at AKL yet) but if I didn't enjoy a resort, I wouldn't go back just because the kids liked it.

 

[April in Disney]

We each used to have our favorites. CL Poly was my DH, GF was mine, Cont was my DD. My DD and I stayed at AKL S last Nov, due to availability, and that has become our fav resort. We are going back Oct 30- Nov9 with DH, and he is as excited as we are. I used to call him from balcony at 5am and him up to tell him what animals were outside

 

[Boo'sMom]

I guess we're in the minority here. Planning a Disney trip is definately a family activity. We narrow down the choices for our family, from a financial standpoint, and as a family we make the decision.

 

[CRCrazy]

We plan as a family as well - the kids' preferences are definitely a priority, since happy kids = a happy trip!

If the kids aren't happy - NOBODY's happy!

We are also a family of five - so our choices are a bit limited. DH is actually fussier than the kids!

We've stayed at the Contemporary - KIDS LOVE THIS! Awesome arcade right in the Food Court - fun slide at the pool (& one of the hot tubs is right in the middle - at night - the kids can swim, and I can sit in the hot tub to relax while still watching! Right in the middle of the action!

My youngest (6) saw the BC on the Travel Channel as well - she'd really like to try Stormalong Bay as well, but they aren't offering any discounted rooms during our stay - too bad!

We are doing a split stay in Nov - the AKL first, so Daddy can do the Sunrise Safari again - then the Poly for the kids. Sarah thinks the Volcano pool sounds like fun! We've stayed at AKL before - they like the animals and activities - but do NOT like the pool - the slide is Boring - and the pool is big, but dull.

For your December trip - you can't count on being able to swim - we were at WDW last December - went to Beaches & Cream for lunch, and Stormalong Bay was deserted - too COLD! I would stay at AKL for your December trip, the animals are very active in the cooler weather, and they have lots of fun activities to do, also, their buses only service the AKL - so not much waiting, for your short trip.

In June - you'll definitely be able to swim - so I'd do some Beach Club there, and since your stay will be longer, you could split it with the All-Stars to save some money.

 

[BCVNovember]

I am a single mom with 3 kids (ages 2, 5 and 7) and part of the decisionmaking process for me included concerns about what would suit them best. The trip is a surprise so they have no idea we are going, but I did get the WDW planning DVD a few months ago and they watched it several times. I asked my 7 yo where she would like to stay if she had the choice and she wanted AKL, WL and BC in that order.

My dad, who lives with us and helps me out everyday with my daughters is also going with us. Although the trip is really for the girls, I also wanted this to be a great gift for him. His first choice was the Contemporary, but I just didn't think the girls would like it He was not interested in AKL at all and thought the transportation with 3 kids might be too difficult from WL.

I first chose BCV, then changed to the Poly, then changed to WL, then changed to BWV and finally after much consternation I ended up choosing the Poly again. He won't say so, but I can tell he is looking forward to staying there. He told me he can remember riding the monorail there and eating lunch at one of the restaurants back in 1972 (I don't remember it all!).

I haven't told him yet that we have 2 rooms (so he can shut the door, take a nap, watch whatever he wants on the TV and have his own bathroom), nor have I told him that I booked concierge. He is diabetic and needs to eat regularly and I think the convienence of the Poly, the concierge food service and the Hawaii building (should be re-opened by our November trip) will make this such a wonderful, relaxing trip for him.

I think the girls will love the location, seeing the castle across the lagoon, the ELP, playing in the sand, even if it is too cold for the Volcano pool, riding the monorail, etc. I can hardly wait to go!

In the future I do see us trying WL, AKL, BC and even GF...

Now that I have the reservations and PS's finalized, I am getting excited... The hard part is over!

 

[goofy4tink]

We stayed at DxL, then POR (I know, same place!). My dd asked if we could please try someplace else for visit #3. She loved POR but wanted a new place. So, for our visit in August (just got back) I booked CBR. Then dh says he doesn't want to have to eat in those huge food courts. So, I book WL. Dd is happy with that choice also. Now, her biggest dream is to be able to stay at the Polynesian. Not my first choice. When the FTP came out, we couldn't pass up the chance to stay at the Polynesian. She was thrilled with the news. It was going to be our last big whole family trip to WDW. Wouldn't you know...we're there 2 days and she says she doesn't feel like she's in WDW!! She wishes she was back 'home' in POR!!!! Sheesh. But she finally got the mood and was happy but now wants to try Yacht and Beach Clubs and Boardwalk. How will I ever be able to go back to a moderate????

 

[missypie]

You never know what small children will focus on, so I wouldn't break my back (or the bank) to accomodate.

If you ask my kids, the worst place we've ever stayed was this hotel where the lighting was so dim we had to take the shades off the lamps to be able to read ... actually, other than that, it was a very nice hotel and we've sayed at MUCH worse.

And - acccording to my kids - the BEST place we've ever stayed was the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza in Springfield, IL where they messed up our reservations and "upgraded" us to this "hospitality suite" room with a Murphey Bed and a HUGE (huge!) hot tub. We had to have 3 roll away beds to sleep us all, but in their eyes it was just the greatest!

I bet your DD will find something to love no matter where you stay.

With all that said, if you visit the World often and the kids have become familiar with the various resorts, you may want to take their opinions into account.

 

[Magic2000]

We're a family of 5 - so our choices are kind of limited too - but I usually try to let the kids have a say in where we stay. Of course, I have the final say (since I have to make sure its in our budget).

My youngest DD LOVES All Star Movies - she absolutely loves seeing Toy Story and 101 Dalmations! Last Dec, we stayed at the Grand Floridian, and she was asking to go visit All Star Movies! Our next trip is a Mommy & Me trip (Daddy is also coming though) - and she got to pick where ever she wanted - we'll be at the Movies!!!

The two teen DDs like the monorail hotels, as well as the Swan. I usually go with whichever one I can get the best deal at! I like trying all the hotels!!!!