Narrowing down the resort choices, please help!

[usmcwife1]

We have decided to make trip number 2 to WDW in early May of 2013. We went for the first time in Sept 2011 and stayed off site (Bonnet Creek) eating off site and in the room a lot (not something I want to do this time lol), For this trip we'd like to stay onsite and do the DDP for 6 nights. We are hoping to use the Military Room discount and tickets (and just add the DDP at full cost to our room to make a package, I can get tickets here on base).

Right now I've narrowed down some options for our family of 6 in our price range after discount is applied (30% off value or 35% off moderate), I'm just a little overwhelmed by the options as we've never stayed onsite and didn't really visit the resorts during our last vacation.

Here are the options:
One room-
AoA: Familiy Suite
ASMu: Family Suite
Cabins @ Ft. Wilderness
Coronado Springs Junior Suite

2 Rooms Connecting (not sure if I am willing to take the risk since these aren't necessarily a guarantee, but price/space wise they may be a better option for us! )-
All Star (Movies or Sports) or Pop
Port Orleans or Caribbean Beach

I called Disney Reservations and there are still rooms available at the military rate for our choice of weeks (we have a range of dates just in case lol) so now I just need to start eliminating some options and deciding so I can reserve it before those room discounts are gone!

Any idea where to begin?

 

[Mousemommy1]

With 4 kids, I would go with a family suite. Preferably at AoA! You get a brand new resort with awesome amenities. What's not to love???

 

[turnlisa]

Couple of questions:

* Are you flying or driving?
* What are the ages of the kids?

We just stayed at Fort Wilderness in the cabins and I can't tell you how much we enjoyed them. We drove so we were able to bring our bikes. It was such a blast! That resort is huge and being able to take our bikes and ride everywhere was a lot of fun. There are also buses that will take you around the resort.

The cabins are really nice. We let the kids have the bedroom (double-bed and bunks) while we took over the living room (murphy bed). We all slept really well and felt like we had plenty of room. Granted there is only one bathroom, but having the full size refrigerator and the kitchen was a great bonus.

If you would like to see some pictures or have any other questions, let me know. Happy planning!

 

[outahere]

Since you are a military family (Thank You from another veteran), have you considered Shades of Green? We have not stayed there, but did tour it with my FIL, who was a retired Lt. Col. It looked pretty nice, and is supposed to have some of the largest rooms on Disney property.

Didn't mean to make it more confusing, but you may be able to get a better rate there than at a Disney owned resort.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

In my opinion I would do some sort of suite. AoA just looks amazing beyond belief. I just think its easier to be guaranteed that your whole family would be together instead of requesting conjoining rooms.

Good Luck!

 

[usmcwife1]

Couple of questions:

* Are you flying or driving?
* What are the ages of the kids?

We are driving (from NC) and our boys are (or will be by travel time) 5, 7, 8 & 11.

 

[usmcwife1]

Since you are a military family (Thank You from another veteran), have you considered Shades of Green? We have not stayed there, but did tour it with my FIL, who was a retired Lt. Col. It looked pretty nice, and is supposed to have some of the largest rooms on Disney property.

Didn't mean to make it more confusing, but you may be able to get a better rate there than at a Disney owned resort.

I looked into SOG but the rates were a little higher for us because of DH's rank and the size of our family, we'd also lose the DDP which is something I am planning on this trip. Last trip we didn't eat very well because we were paying cash and didn't make any reservations in advance, this trip I'd like to pay for meals and reserve everything in advance and not worry lol

 

[usmcwife1]

In my opinion I would do some sort of suite. AoA just looks amazing beyond belief. I just think its easier to be guaranteed that your whole family would be together instead of requesting conjoining rooms.

Good Luck!

I am thinking the same, as much as I'd like connecting rooms I know it's not a 'guarantee' I'd really hate to be split up from DH, this trip is meant to be a vacation before he deploys again and our kiddos aren't old enough to be in a separate room..

 

[MMS1125]

I'd do AoA suite I think since you want to be guaranteed together. Can you get a military discount on villas? If so I'd price one out and see if that's in your budget

Make sure to join us in the May planning thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2945623

 

[MeggerasMa]

Considering the options you present, I can only comment on 2. Fort Wilderness vs ASMU. My family of 5 loved our stay at Fort Wilderness, in fact our 3 were around the ages of your young ones. The (now) grown kids still talk about that vacation. There was so much to see and do right there (if you like nature). The ASMU was my least favorite resort, probably because we were way in the back by a swamp or something. It was creepy at night. I've also stayed at SOG and while I loved it as an adult, I don't think your kids would find as much Disney "magic" at that particular resort. Mine were grown by the time we stayed there. I would look at the pictures of each you are considering, as well as the amenities offered by each, the food available, etc., and then do what you think your family would enjoy most. Have a wonderful vacation and thanks for your military service!

 

[Sammie]

AoA, it just looks like so much fun.

 

[colinsdad]

I can't speak to the AoA, but I can tell you my family really loved the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. The cabins are quite spacious, and while one poster mentioned there is only 1 BR, there are 2 separate sink areas which helps.

Some of the perks include a campfires/songs with Chip and Dale, and a boat to the Magic Kingdom. There are also 2 great family shows are located on site (Hoop de Doo and Mickey's Backyard BBQ - MBYBBQ is a must for me and my DS8).

My family loves to camp, and I can tell you the atmosphere at this resort is awesome.

The good news is no matter what you choose, you and your family should have a great time. Good luck with your planning.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree with those who say to stay at Fort Wilderness. I bet that your boys would really enjoy that.

 

[MMS1125]

The cabins sound fun but I don't like the room setup for my family personally. The adults to have a room alone would have to sleep on the Murphy bed and the boys could share the bedroom (double bed and bunk beds)

The benefit of AoA or ASMu family suite is you get 2 bathrooms. 6 people with 1 bathroom might make getting ready a nightmare

 

[Radiorox]

Major fan of the Cabins here. It's SOOO relaxing there and there are a ton of activities over at Ft. Wilderness including, what I hear is one of the best shows in the World - Hoop Dee Doo Review.

There is only one bathroom but, it's pretty big. The cabins are very rustic and just plain cool. Full kitchen with all of the goodies (Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Machine, plates and silverware for 6).

My only Con... Transportation. We normally rent a golf cart, I guess with your troupe you would need two. Of course, those could be rented by someone offsite. Also the Internal system of buses can take forever and a day to get from the Cabins to the Settlement Post (Where the Marina is to get you to MK, WL or CR - I LOVE THOSE BOATS!!) or the Outpost (to get the busses to EP, DHS & AK).

Pool-wise, they have a pretty large pool with a slide and also a kiddie pool area.

Jackie

 

[SillyFamily]

I would choose AoA or the cabins. If you have a few non park days planned you might enjoy the fort more. There is soo much to do and see there. The fort also has a slide and kiddy splash zone at their pool. There is also archery, horse back riding, fishing, campfire sing along, and the list goes on and on. You also have a full kitchen, but you dont need to do dishes the mouse keeper does it for you!!!!! We loved this for storing snacks or togo deserts that we just couldnt eat from the dinning plan.

AoA is new and has 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms which would be nice. The pools are themed very nice but just standard pools. They also dont have any of the extra activites.