Need Advice about where to stay???

[jennafo3]

Hi! My family and two friends will be going to Disney in January. We have 3 girls (2,4,6) and there will be a total of 4 adults including my husband and myself. where is the best place to stay? We were thinking about ft wilderness cabin, but would that be the best, or would connecting rooms be better? I'm at a loss - this will be the first trip "as a family" and in January, I will also be 5 months pregnant!!
Any advice would be GREAT!!!

thanks so much!
Jenna

 

[WDW LOVR]

You could fit in the cabin if the 2 y.o. is in a crib, but the cabins only sleep 6 otherwise.

With that many, you might be better off with adjoining rooms somewhere. That way you have the extra bathroom. Or if money is no object you could go up to a 2 BR at one of the Villas (Boardwalk, Beach Club, Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge). Those sleep 8, would have 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen, which is nice with younger kids.

There are good descriptions of all the resorts/rooms etc on allearsnet.com. It has prices and pictures also. Might want to check that site out, it's been a big help to us in the past.

And welcome to the Dis!

 

[CarolMN]

The cabins are nice, but IMHO, it would be too crowded for 7 people - even if 3 of them are small children. There will only be one bathroom and not much privacy.

I'd go with 2 connecting rooms at a mod or value (depending on your budget). That will give you more room, two bathrooms, two TVs and 4 double beds. With 3 small ones, you'll want the separation/privacy/quiet at times - WDW schedules can tire you out and make you crabby every so often even if you're an adult!

Best wishes -

 

[domestic goddess]

I would agree with the previous poster about the 2 bd. villa or adjoining rooms at a moderate, or deluxe. We own at DVC and we are now spoiled when it comes to choosing a "regular" room and not a villa. The full kitchen, washer/dryer in the room and the separate rooms are just wonderful! It is nice to have the room to spread out and relax after the parks.

Might I suggest the VWL in January. The fireplaces and the warm cozy feeling are so nice at that time of year. Everything is close and that is nice at the end of a long day.

Have a great trip!

 

[swilphil]

I'd definitely get two adjoining rooms with 4 adults and 3 kids. If you can manage it, pick a resort where you can easily get back from the parks: monorail resorts (Contemporary, Poly, or Grand Floridian) or Epcot area resorts (Beach Club, Boardwalk or Swan/Dolpin). The Contemporary and Swan/Dolphin are the least expensive. I don't mind paying more for location since my toddler still needs an afternoon nap. And if I were pregnant, I'd need one, too.

 

[jennafo3]

Ok, I'm definately leaning away from Ft wilderness cabins now... thanks for your help!! Now the question is ... Pop or FO (either FQ or Riverside)... How difficult is it to get back and forth from the parks... Now it will be January, but we will have 2 strollers. What about the food courts? we probably will be getting the dining plan.

Thanks again!!
jenna

 

[goofy4tink]

We love POR. Have yet to have any issues with the bus system. The rooms are a decent size. You could get rooms in AB where you would have access to a trundle bed, so you could sleep 5 in that one room. Or in the mansion section and have the kids divided between the two rooms, that each sleep 4.
The thing about the cabins is that if you aren't planning on eating in your cabin a lot, it can be tough to eat anywhere. I have friends that went in June with their 4 grandkids and eating was a nightmare. It was such a hike to eat anyplace close and they didn't have a car to get around. They loved the cabins except for that. I would think that being pregnant you would want to be able to eat somewhat easily.
I have found the food court at POR to be just fine. It can get crowded at the expected times but I tend to eat at 'off' times so it hasn't been an issue for me. I would try to get either adjoining, or connecting rooms at POR.
Of course the AllStars are great fun for the kids. My dd and I stayed at Pop in August and really liked it. The food court was fun, the gift shop terrific. We never had an issue with the buses. yes, they got crowded but it's a big resort. The larger than life icons are a hoot. We were in the 50's bldg...a fair walk to the food court but not bad. The 60's bldgs are a tad closer, and right there at the Hippy Dippy Pool.

 

[bicker]

With that crew we'd definitely go for a 2BR DVC villa if at all possible, not just for the number of sleeping surfaces and the extra bathroom, but just for the ability to have a family space to gather (and the full kitchen doesn't hurt either!)

 

[kizmac]

Ok, I'm definately leaning away from Ft wilderness cabins now... thanks for your help!! Now the question is ... Pop or FO (either FQ or Riverside)... How difficult is it to get back and forth from the parks... Now it will be January, but we will have 2 strollers. What about the food courts? we probably will be getting the dining plan.

Thanks again!!
jenna

We are just back from a two connecting room stay at POR. There were 10 (4 adults and 6 kids) of us and we had a wonderful time! I loved POR, AB section so much! I checked out POP while there just for future reference, but there is no way I will stay there after staying at POR. Two totally different vacation experiences. POR is so beautiful and relaxing. The kids will love their water slide and pool. You can rent the bikes and boats. There is also the boat to DTD. Bus service was fine. The only one that I really didn't like was the DTD bus because it seemed to take forever with stops at Marketplace, Westside and TL during the day.

The food court was wonderful and Boatwrights has an awesome breakfast selection. You must try their sweet potatoe pancakes and banana french toast!

Can you tell that I can't wait to go back?!