Looking to come again May '14

[msujd164]

We just returned from AS Music in April. That was our first trip and had an amazing time. Was amazed at Disney's organization, friendliness and overall cleanliness of EVERYTHING. Just an amazing time from the smallest details to the parks and restaurants.

My question, is with the packages for 14 being released soon, is our trip in May, we are thinking of spending a little more now that we know the routine a little better. I have a 6 and 4 year old and want to stay geared toward the Disney theme as far as resorts and kid friendly, but want a little more as far as adults go also. I have browsed online, but is there anyone with the same situation as far as children go that can offer advice? We have checked AKL out and it seems nice. Also we were on CS dining plan last time, worked out nice, but saw a few places we would have liked to have eaten that were TS. Any advice from any Disney veterans is appreciated!

 

[flamark]

We just returned from AS Music in April. That was our first trip and had an amazing time. Was amazed at Disney's organization, friendliness and overall cleanliness of EVERYTHING. Just an amazing time from the smallest details to the parks and restaurants.

My question, is with the packages for 14 being released soon, is our trip in May, we are thinking of spending a little more now that we know the routine a little better. I have a 6 and 4 year old and want to stay geared toward the Disney theme as far as resorts and kid friendly, but want a little more as far as adults go also. I have browsed online, but is there anyone with the same situation as far as children go that can offer advice? We have checked AKL out and it seems nice. Also we were on CS dining plan last time, worked out nice, but saw a few places we would have liked to have eaten that were TS. Any advice from any Disney veterans is appreciated!

If your kids are fans of Nemo, Cars, Lion King, Or Mermaid then Art of Animation theming will knock their little socks off. If you have a Pirates fan then a POC room at CBR will be really neat. For the grown ups, there is a theme for any taste and as you pay more you get more amenities and services. For our money nothing compares to POLY or WL. The next poster may hate those but love AKL which we really don't care for. If you related some of the things you like perhaps folks could make specific suggestions. For example, both DW and I love antebellum houses so we really love POR. Hope this helped a bit.

 

[msujd164]

Well, we definitely make the trips for the kids, so would like to stay well in tune with Disney "theme", where they can look around and see Disney character statues, art, etc. I would like to get a little out of the price range of band trips, senior trips, high school trips, lol, no offense.

 

[RyMacJ]

We just go back from AoA, my girls are 3 and 5. While they did love the theming, DH wasn't as pleased with the resort. He thought it was pretty and clean, but it was SO big and crowded compared to the only other onsite resort we've stayed at (POFQ). All of the values are going to be like this, and they're the ones with the big Disney character statues, etc.

We've decided to go moderate or deluxe next time. Our top two right now are AKL, b/c the girls' favorite park was AK (they're big animal lovers) or POR for the royal rooms. The pirate rooms at CBR would compare for little boys. We just figure we don't want as much "in your face" Disney next time. We tried it, it wasn't our favorite, so we'll move in the direction we think it right for us. The girls will get plenty of classic Disney in the parks.

Good luck! Wish we were going back next year. Our youngest was skittish about some of the fuzzy characters/darker rides, so we're waiting at least 2 years, if not 3.

 

[msujd164]

Tell me what you liked about POFQ, because that one caught our eye.

 

[amccu18007]

Tell me what you liked about POFQ, because that one caught our eye.

It is a smaller resort but beautiful. The themeing is there but def. not over the top. Have you looked at all ears and checked out pictures of all the resorts? I would so that and see what interests you. Our favorite in the Beach club. The pool is top notch and has a sand bottom, great for children your age. It is within walking distance to Epcot and DHS and there are a ton of things for both adults and kids to do. Have fun deciding!

 

[RyMacJ]

Tell me what you liked about POFQ, because that one caught our eye.

Like PP said, it was very compact and is, I believe, the smallest resort on property. The grounds were beautiful, and our room, while not luxurious, was clean, pretty, and great for just the two of us. We stayed here on our honeymoon, because we couldn't afford deluxe at the time. Honestly, I would stay there again in a heartbeat, but we'd like to try new resorts. But one of the resorts we'd like to try is POR, which is only a hop, skip, and a jump from our beloved POFQ.

 

[twodogs]

Our kids are the same ages as yours and we've stayed in a villa at BLT the last two trips. Stayed in a 1 bedroom so grown ups had king bed and full bath, and girls had sleeper sofa and sleeper chair, and their own full bath. Plus there is a washer and dryer, so less stuff to pack. Great bc it has a kitchen for easy breakfasts or dinners, tons of space, great pool and splash area, and best of all, WALK to MK!! Easy walk to monorail in the contemporary for EPCOT, or other resorts. I looked at AKL but it felt very removed from most of the parks, and we spend most of our time at the parks. Easy to walk, monorail, or bus back to BLT for a swim break or if it rained. Walk to Chef Mickeys, which is our traditional morning of departure breakfast. Overall was very, very happy there.

 

[twodogs]

And, as far as I could tell, there won't be any band trips, cheer teams, etc there due to cost. Very very quiet resort except during Wishes, which you can see from many rooms!

 

[msujd164]

BLT sounds cool. May be a little more than what we spend on a room. We usually stay value-moderate and the throw the $ on the deluxe or premium dining plans and souvenirs. To me we just are not in the room that much to enjoy a very expensive room. POFQ seems nice though and I like the fact it is smaller. Are there usually lots of high school groups there?

 

[flamark]

In my experience the youth groups do tend to stck almost exclusively to the value resorts. I haven't stayed at AOA yet although 11yo DS is really perturbed at me that we haven't, so I can't comment on the youth presence there.

 

[CalicoSky]

I suggest taking a look at either Port Orleans resort. As with other moderates, there isn't an in-your-face Disney look at either. French Quarter is smaller (less walking) with a more colorfully themed pool that appeals to young swimmers. Riverside has a play area, main pool, and several smaller (and usually less crowded) pools. Riverside has Royal theme rooms plus Princess & the Frog theming (fairly subtle, except for the colorful art alongside the murphy bed). Both have the boat ride to Downtown Disney. Plus they're sister resorts so you can use both resorts' facilities (including pools) regardless of which one you stay at.

Have fun planning!