Need help deciding on resort

[Disneycrazymom]

My favorite is the Swan but this year we will most likely not get to stay there as we are bringing my neice and that make 5. 2 rooms at the Swan would be too expensive. So.........

Do we do 2 rooms at one of the values? How does Pop compare to All Stars? We have stayed at Movies and DD4 LOVED the Buzz building! Is there anything better at POP?

OR Do we go offsite to a condo type place? Advantages I see are more room and less eating out I don't mind fixing some simple meals. But no transportation and traffic to get to parks plus no EE which we enjoy.

Thoughts? We hope to book something soon for June.( Hopefully with a wonderful new code!)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Did you know that several of the deluxe resorts sleep 5 (YC/BC, Poly, BWI, CR to name a few) and I think at least one of the moderates - would you want to do that? You could then stay where your used to staying (Epcot area)...

Re: condo - I know some people love them but for us it just wouldn't be Disney...

 

[disneyag]

I agree with the above poster. I wouldn't stay offsite either. I'd look into a Deluxe or Moderate that sleeps 5 (I hear POR has trundle beds that allow 5 in a room.)

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I am considering a deluxe but wonder how small even a deluxe room will feel with 5 in it and only 1 bathroom. I have also thought about renting points but not too crazy about kids sleeping on the couch bed for 7 nights. I don't think the trundel bed will work. There would be 2 girls 5 and 18 and 1 boy 12. He is too big to sleep in it and I don't want the 2 older ones to have to sleep together. With 2 rooms we get a bed for each child and one for us. The 2 older ones can share a room and DD5 can bunk with us or have an overnight with her cousin 18 in the connecting room. The more I think about it the better 2 bathrooms feel. Also onsite gives the 2 older ones bus transportation if we need to let DD have a nap.

So if we go with a value, which is best? Thanks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OK, so two it is! I have stayed at ASMu and liked it a lot - but it was our first trip to WDW and we were awestruck so I think we would have been pretty happy no matter what happened! It was also ten days after 9/11 so the place was pretty quiet. I've read lots of reports here lately about how crazy it can get. With that said, I kind of like the craziness and have been booked at PC twice but have had to cancel, but it's definitely on our list for a future stay (though I would also book any of the All Stars again too). I think you just have to realize that if you're used to the Swan you might have a very different experience at a Value not to mention less amenities.

We always have a car and don't use the busses so I don't have a lot of info there, but I have heard that PC has it's own stop whereas the All Stars share busses so that may factor into your decision. Availability can be tight too at PC so book early.

"I don't think the trundel bed will work"
One last thing about the deluxe witht the 5th bed: I've seen the beds at the Poly, CR and YC and all had a nice full size day bed with a good mattress (not a trundle) which would easily hold even an adult; we found them to be quite comfortable. The rooms at the CR are pretty big, too but I see your point about sleeping arrangements. Are you going to be in the room(s) a lot or are you just going to crash there? Good Luck whatever you decide.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We will be at the parks all day and will only sleep in the room. My DS 12 seems excited about the CR. I like that it is so close to MK. My concern is that we will be on top of each other all week trying to get ready to go anywhere. I don't want to get all cranky at my favorite place! I think I will go and look at pictures of the rooms maybe that will help me decide!

I though that All Stars ran their own busses on the busy days too? When we were at Movies it seemed ok but come to think of it we had a car and in was Nov. DD says she wants to sleep with Buzz and Woody agian. She may get her wish!

 

[Pig Pen]

Have you considered renting points from a DVC member and staying at a "home away from home" resort? Go over to the vacation club thread and check it out.

A 2 bedroom at OKW in early June for 5 nights (Sunday-Thurs) would be 135 points or about $1350. A 2 bedroom has 2 full baths, laundry, full kitchen, living room with pull out sofa and sleeps 8.

In late June it goes up to $1500.

You may also consider checking out a cabin at Ft. Wilderness. I think they sleep 5 or 6 and have a full kitchen as well.

 

[3MouseMom]

I definitely think 2 rooms at POP, esp. with kids that age. Having two bathrooms is great, and the busses are very good. Food court is fine, although crowded (just plan ahead). It is a different atmosphere than Swan, but if you've been to All-Stars, you already know that.

renting points from a DVC member for a larger unit would be awesome, but I still think it might be more expensive than 2 rooms at POP. Mid-week points are cheaper, so maybe that's an option: POP on the weekend, resort switch to DVC villa (BC would be great!!) for midweek.

 

[NancyIL]

You can put 5 in a room at the Dolphin with a rollaway. I've heard of some families of 5 being able to stay at the Swan, but they are usually put at the Dolphin.

 

[jimmiej]

Originally posted by Disneycrazymom
We will be at the parks all day and will only sleep in the room. My DS 12 seems excited about the CR. I like that it is so close to MK. My concern is that we will be on top of each other all week trying to get ready to go anywhere. I don't want to get all cranky at my favorite place! I think I will go and look at pictures of the rooms maybe that will help me decide!

We did 5 in a CR wing room June '04 & never felt crowded. Two adults, 18yo, 11yo, & 8yo. The rooms are large. Being close to MK is great.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks for the ideas! I would like to do points, but NO way am I moving this group once we are settled. I would like Ft. Widerness but that will get me in a pickle since we own a 28 foot travel trailer that I don't want to pull that far, and ofcourse DH thinks it would be great to take the camper across country. It's a whole 'nother story, but the short form is I'm a big chicken about driving the thing! Maybe he and the kids could drive down and I'll fly and meet them! As for 5 at the Swan I can't imagine where they would put the bed? They are nice rooms but not that big. Maybe the Dolphin room is bigger? I will check on that. I like the CR idea and I think the rooms there are bigger. I think the trouble is there are so many good choices. Thanks again for the ideas!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What about if you do stay at the CR you "stagger" showers and such. Some people like to shower at night and some in the morning. If it got *really* rushed there are showers by the pool. To me the excitement and convenience of staying there would outweigh the inconvenience of having only one bath. And the baths are "split" with a toilet and sink in one and a shower and sink in the other, so maybe that would help. We got a standard wing room rate of $169/night in high week in April using a Mousesavers code. We loved it and hope to stay there again someday - something about the monorails going through the building that is really *magic* for me!