Need advice on choosing a resort

[DisneyDad1736]

My wife and I are having a difficult time deciding where to stay. We used to be cast members so we never had this problem lol, however we have since moved back up north and are planning our first trip back. Here are our options. It would be myself, wife and infant (would be almost 2 years old). If we decide the cabins then my parents would split it with uz

1. Pop century. Pretty straightforward, Good value resort and cost effective.

2. Art of animation. We’ve heard mixed reviews but it looks cool and it’s another value resort that’s cost effective.

3. Fort wilderness cabins. We’ve discussed also going with my parents and splitting the cost on a cabin. Close to magic kingdom, good dining, etc.

4. Coronado springs. Rooms and pool look really nice and close to animal kingdom.

5. DVC rental. I’ve been thinking about getting a dvc rental through David’s or dvc rental store. It would just be the three of us but we’ve always wanted to stay at a deluxe resort

Cost isn’t a big issue for us, we still know a few cast members and would get 40% off. What we care about is transportation, dining and nice rooms. Any advice or feedback would be great. Thanks!

 

[jennyq87]

The 40% off cast discount would probably be pretty close to the cost of renting points at a Deluxe, and you wouldn’t have the cancellation risks. At least that was the case last time we did it!

Of the value/moderate you listed, I’d choose Coronado. The tower rooms are beautiful, and food and lounge options are excellent! Transportation is average.

If you’d look at Deluxe, tho, consider a resort on Skyliner or Monorail for transportation and access to lots of food!

 

[Nabas]

You mentioned: "What we care about is transportation, dining and nice rooms."

Generally, the best transportation is the Monorail (meaning Grand Floridian, Poly, or Contemporary), or walking (meaning Boardwalk or Beach Club). All five have good dining options. All five have nice rooms.

Many like the Skyliner but I was (again!) left stranded at a theme park, trying to return to the Riviera, when a thunderstorm rolled through and the Skyliner was shut down. Took a long time for a bus to show up. POP or AOA would be good options for transportation if the Skyliner ran more consistently. But I would not consider either to have particularly good dining options or nice rooms. Both are adequate, nothing more.

Coronado Springs has nice rooms and better dining options, but it's all buses for transportation.

If "Cost isn’t a big issue for" you and you've "always wanted to stay at a deluxe resort" it sounds like it might be time to splurge on one of the 5 resorts I mentioned.

 

[DisneyDad1736]

If "Cost isn’t a big issue for" you and you've "always wanted to stay at a deluxe resort" it sounds like it might be time to splurge on one of the 5 resorts I mentioned.

i used that word a little too lightly lol. I meant between all our options cost isn’t really an issue for us.

 

[Nabas]

i used that word a little too lightly lol. I meant between all our options cost isn’t really an issue for us.

Well then, POP and AOA put you on the Skyliner for 2 theme parks.

Coronado Springs has better dining options and rooms.

What's more important to you?

 

[robinb]

Consider adding Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani to your list. The splash pool is super cool for little kids and who doesn’t want animals at your resort?

 

[unrequited23]

I would skip the cabins because I do not like to share my space. If you were to guess where do you think your kid will be sleeping? A pack n play? Alone in a bed with bedrails? With a parent in a bed with bedrails? If you will use a pack n play a DVC studio would be more attractive than a standard room with two beds (since you won't be using both for sleeping.) If you were planning on one parent sharing with the kid a DVC studio seems the least attractive because a sleeper sofa id not as comfortable as a murphy bed or standard bed. The LM rooms at AOA are very far away from the main building, so I would knock that off your list.

Since you and your wife are former CMs, I have a feeling you will want to take a second trip to WDW before your child turns 3. In that case, I would book Pop and dedicate your savings to the next trip.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Since you have always wanted to stay at a deluxe, I would pick renting DVC.
To our family of 4, rooms size is not a big deal and we love that POP and AOA have the skyliner. Do not let transportation issues sway your decision, because we have had a few issues with buses and monorails, but that doesn't mean I would eliminate those resorts. Stuff happens

 

[Anthony1971]

My suggestion would a 2BR DVC Villa if you splitting with Parents. A Villa at Saratoga or OKW would work great for space, good transportation and great Food. Disney Springs by far has the best options for food and with a 2 year old you will spend far less time in the parks then you think. SSR has a nice Children's play area near the pool by the Hospitality house. You will also have a full Kitchen where you can store snacks and food for the 2YO Kids at that age will not always eat when you want and form what I recall most of the time slept when we ate think Hot weather into AC -- I do not think I have EVER seen the show in America at EPCOT as much as I have tried to stay awake. As a bonus the Boat ride to DS is always a huge hit with Parents and young children. Make sure you have a compact stroller that is easy to collapse as that is the hardest part of any Disney trip with a child that age. Kidani Village could be another option but not as close to a lot of great food options but the pool and play area make up for that for a young child. The master bath at Kidani is amazing if that matters and it does . The rates for a 2BR are not much higher than 2 studios with the recent points adjustment and if you can go in September you may be very surprised at the lower price.

 

[olwyngdh]

I vote for Pop. If you plan on having your child sleep in a pack n play the fact that one bed is unused will give you excellent floor space in the room. The skyliner, although closed when the weather is dangerous, makes travel an attraction in itself.

 

[jimmymc]

Pop Century is amazing if you'll be spending a lot of time in the parks. But I don't think there would be enough to do with a 1.5 year old if you're planning several resort days.

My other choice would be renting DVC points and staying at a studio. They are amazing rooms, and you get all the pools and play-areas of deluxe resorts.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I agree with the 2BR dvc villa, either through renting points or through Disney with a discount. Having the kitchen and laundry has been huge for us with DD. I think you will find it really nice to be able to tuck the little one in the bedroom and still have the space to socialize with your parents at night.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you were talking about the Cascade Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, I'd be all in on cabins. But with Ft Wilderness cabins there is only one bedroom with a queen bed and a set of bunks and the double sized sleeper sofa in the living room. Only one bathroom.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We went with my parents to Fort Wilderness when my son was 20 months old and had a fabulous time, so I vote cabins! As for space, at least the cabin has a separate bedroom...the 5 of us split an RV, which was a little cramped. But it was a great trip. There is so much to do at the Fort at that age. My son loved the kids water play area and the big pool (life jackets for under 35 lbs were available on request). Playground was nice, so was eating Mickey waffles on the beach in the morning and watching the water pageant at night (fireworks too, but my son didn't care for the noise at that age). Boat transit to Magic Kingdom was convenient, especially since he could stay sleeping in the stroller for the trip back. My parents just wanted to stay at the campground, so they took my son to the Chip and Dale campfire singalong (this was 2017) while husband and I had a date night at the Magic Kingdom. When my daughter was 2, we rented a golf cart to see the Christmas lights and she loved visiting the ponies. On our upcoming trip, we plan to use the MK boat to the monorail to go to Chef Mickey's. I think when my son was 2.5, we were at Fort Wilderness 4 days with only 1 park day.

 

[Sue M]

I’d go with Wilderness Lodge!

 

[DisneyDad1736]

I’d go with Wilderness Lodge!

I wish but a little too pricey for us lol

 

[Sue M]

I wish but a little too pricey for us lol

Caribbean Beach? Skyliner and central location!

 

[Splash fan]

We love any of the DVC resorts and we are spoiled now to stay deluxe by renting points. We have a hard time staying in moderates or value after staying deluxe at half the price normally required for them.

 

[DisneyDad1736]

We love any of the DVC resorts and we are spoiled now to stay deluxe by renting points. We have a hard time staying in moderates or value after staying deluxe at half the price normally required for them.

do you use dvc rental store or David’s by chance?

 

[Splash fan]

do you use dvc rental store or David’s by chance?

I’ve mostly used Davids in the past but once used dvc rental store for a family member and it was great as well.