Need help deciding where to stay - first time staying on site

[perd]

Okay, this is my situation - husband and I and three kids, 17, 14 and 12. The older two girls, the younger one a boy.

I run a medical transcription service and I will need to take my work with me, which means I will be bring along my laptop computer and working via internet from my laptop and besides the internect connection will also need to use a phone line to receive dictation.

What I would like is this: A nice on-site resort where the kids could come and go with or without DH and I to different theme parks and water parks, where I would feel safe and comfortable with them doing that. And also where I can work comfortably. I will probably need to work maybe four hours a day. I need to be able to dial out using my pin# without getting a bunch of extra charges for calling from a hotel phone. And what about internet access? At home I use cable internet service.

The problem I have found with a lot of places I've tried to book through the Disney site is that our family is too big - like CSR will not accommodate a family of five. Neither will CBR. And Port Orleans Riverside will, but I read some things about it being dirty there and cigarette butts everywhere - I want someplace nice and CLEAN.

And when you book, do you book through the Disney site? Or is there a better (cheaper) way? Through the Disney site it just tells me I cannot book say, Caribbean Beach resort, because we have too many people in our family. But if I didn't book through there couldn't I book TWO rooms?

I'm new to all this. We have been to Disney twice - once stayed at Holiday Inn Sunspree at Buena Vista and that was fine back then when the kids were little. Another time rented a house with a pool and that was fine for then. But now that I need to work some on vacation, I'd like to stay on site so they can go on and have fun while I am working!

Also, what about my laptop computer, my $1000 Dictaphone machine, etc? Will they be safe in my room when I am not there?

I would LIKE to plan a vacation for March 17-23rd and I was thinking that would not be possible since it is so close, but when I went to the vacation planning site I saw that there ARE rooms available for that time still. Maybe not the best ones though.

Keep in mind we like things nice and clean.

Any advice? I would appreciate it.

 

[Buzz2001]

Adjoining rooms at CSR?

How about Fort Wilderness
FW FAQ

Read mousesavers.com for info on saving money

 

[MJames41]

The resort that comes to my mind is the Contemporary. If price is a major consideration (as it is for most of us) then a room in one of the wings. These will fit 5 easily (they have the largest standard rooms on property - 440 square feet), and have monorail access for the MK and for Epcot. Although I am not sure if they have extra charges for their use, I understand they do have an excellent business center.

As for how to book, never book through the Disney site (ok, maybe not never, but not until they make it more user friendly for savings). You will always pay the full price on-line (you can't even get a Disney Club discount, and it's their discount card!). Always check here for discount codes, as well as mousesavers.com, and call CRO (Central Reservations Office - I don't have the number) instead of WDTC (Walt Disney Travel Company) if at all possible. Enjoy your trip.

 

[josierac]

First of all, how much do you want to spend at night?

The resorts you mentioned are moderate hotels and to get to the parks you need to use the bus for everything.

If you want a monorail use, your choices are Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian

Wilderness Lodge will give you boat access to the Magic Kingdom and from there you can take the monorail to Epcot, buses to everywhere else

Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn and Villas are all on the Epcot side and you could walk from any of them to Epcot and MGM as well as taking a boat. Buses to other parks. Yacht/Beach club share a great pool. For pictures check www.disneypix.com and go to resorts and Yacht/Beach club

Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian will fit 5 in a standard room (2 Queen beds and a daybed)

Wilderness Lodge will have a Deluxe room that will sleep all of you, 2 Queen beds and a sitting room with a sofa bed.

Boardwalk Villas you will have to get a 2 bedroom

The moderate resorts, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, etc you will have to get 2 rooms.

If you don't have the time or just don't want to plan it yourself, I would suggest going with a Disney specialty travel agency like www.ourlaughingplace.com or www.dreamsunlimited.com
Both of these will give you the best price going with what discounts are out there.

DON"T book on Disney's website as you will be paying full rack price for the resorts.

If you want to book it yourself check with www.mousesavers.com to see what discounts are out there for you to use.