Need help -- 1st time Disney Family

[kc&dmom]

We are making our first trip to Disney the week before Labor Day. YEAH! We expect it to be hot --- but it is marked as the beginning of "Value Season". Can we expect lower attendance and perhaps shorter lines?? We are trying to decided between 4 nights at CR Tower Club and 5 nights at POR --- for about the same cost (small cost savings at POR). DS (3), DD (4), & DD (6) will probably all need a stroller at some point. Is there a real difference staying at a monorail resort considering the wear and tear on little feet?? Or should we just plan the extra time at POR and take things a little slower. Thanks for your help!!

 

[Laura]

I would go with POR just because of the extra day... I've always wanted to stay at the Contemporary! Certainly the transportation at the Contemporary would be better, especially assuming that you will spend a good chunk of your time at MK. But the transportation at POR is totally fine and you'll be a little more relaxed than if you had a day less in the parks.

 

[Talky_Tina]

We have stayed at POR, YC, and Poly. Hopping on the monorail and being at MK within minutes was so worth it for us.
We are going in Dec and are staying at the Poly again not only because we love it there, but mostly for the monorail. We will try out the other wonderful hotels at WDW when we no longer have small children in our party. Until then, for us, the monorail is the only way to go. And don't forget the afternoon naps or rest periods will be so much easier with a monorail resort. All the resorts are wonderful and POR has the BEST food court I have found, but since this is your first time, why not make it easier on yourselves at the CR?
Either way, you will have a wonderful time!

 

[DisneyLisa]

If it means staying an extra night, I'd go for POR.

 

[Fargoman2]

We made our Disney debut in summer 2001, spending 6 nights at the Contemporary Tower--and we absolutely loved it!

The convenient access to MK is ideal--it's such an easy walk! This is an especially huge asset after the fireworks. While others line-up in droves for various forms of Disney transportation, you can take a leisurely short stroll back to your hotel.

Be sure to ask for a MK view--your kids (and you) will be awed by the castle and its ever-changing colors. They'll also love riding and watching the monorail pass through the hotel.

And might I recommend kicking off your visit at Chef Mickey's-- we found it to be a perfect way to get in the Disney mood.

I will be forever thankful to the many people on these boards who gave me the suggestions above and many other tips when I was getting ready for my first trip.

Good luck!



P.S. I would gladly welcome some Florida heat about now. We're struggling to get out of the 40s and western North Dakota had a WINTER STORM TODAY!

 

[Trekker]

kc&dmom Welcome to the DIS!

Please be sure to visit $$ The Nuts and Bolts of Disney Discounts 101 $$

and the DI$count Codes area

Before you book those rooms - there are many discounts available for Disney Resorts..

 

[zurgswife]

Definately check out the codes if you haven't already...you might save even more....

 

[gepetto]

If you use one of the codes you may be able to stay at a CR garden wing room for the same cost or less than at POR. The rooms at CR are much larger and nicer. They have 2 queens and a daybed.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says................................. We have stayed at Dixie Landings twice, and really love the place. Unless you are going to MK everyday of your trip, spend an extra day at the world and enjoy Dixie Landings! So you get up fifteen minutes earlier, I will happlily get up fifteen minutes earlier to go to MK, if I get AN ENTIRE EXTRA DAY AT THE WORLD!!!!!

 

[LKS]

I would agree that if you find a discount code, you may be able to stay in the CR garden wing for not that much more than POR. Our family has stayed at CR twice, once in the wing and once in the tower. The wings are just fine with kids and being on the monorail is an enormous help - consider that you will probably also like to come back midday for a swim and a nap and you may be commuting to and from the parks several times each day. We are staying CR again this trip, even though our kids are now 10,8 and almost 5. We started out with a wing ressie and then got the tower for a good postcard rate so switched.

Last time we were there AK did not exist and we only went to MGM once, so we really used and loved that monorail. It will interesting to see if my opinion about the importance of being on the monorail changes this time if we go to more parks. We are also finishing with three nights at the AKL, so I will have that for comparison.

 

[cshaffer21]

We were at WDW last year for the week before Labor Day. And yes, it was HOT. We won't be going again during the summer. We stayed in POR for the second time and loved it. The food court is great and the kids enjoyed the pool and slide. The monorail is great but if you are going to MGM, AK, DD or any of the other hotels, you need to take a bus anyway. I would definitely stay at POR and have the extra day, unless you get a really good discount at the Contemporary.

 

[tampafan]

I would stay at POR. There is a lot to do there if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks - swimming, fishing, surrey bike rentals, pedal boats, motor boat rentals, etc. Also, if you request an Alligator Bayou room, they have trundle beds that store under the "big" beds.

We have only missed one Labor Day weekend in the past 6 years. We love to go then. We have found it to be less crowded. I guess that kids are back in school and most people are not wanting to travel then. It is hot, but not unbearable (bear in mind that we live in Tampa and by Sept, 85 degrees is a cool snap ).

We also love the wing rooms at CR. They are large and spacious and if you can get them at the same price, why not!

 

[kc&dmom]

I think we have our heart set on CR -- with this being our first trip and the kids pretty young I am sure we will spend the bulk of our time at MK. I have tried to book a Wing room and they are not available under any code. According to the last CM I spoke to, -- there are no discounted rooms available except Tower Club or Concierge at all. I will keep trying.

 

[Trekker]

Another option for you would be to go to Dreams Unlimited and fill out a request for a quote. Tell them what you have found so far and see if they can help you get a better rate. Dreams unlimited is the travel Agency associated to these boards and all the employees are Disney Nuts just like the rest of us. Give them a try!