Need help narrowing resort choices down...

[stormyR]

Planning a trip for myself, my husband, my mother, and our 2 yr old when DH gets back from deployment. Originally we wanted to get a place with 2 seperate sleeping areas, but none of those besides WL cabins are in our budget (we are wanting to stay Moderate or above and NOT Shades of Green). So I guess we'll just have to find creative reasons to get mom and DD out of the room for awhile.

Originally we were leaning toward WL cabins but then read about how large WL is and we'd have to wait on a resort bus to take us to the front to catch another shuttle or the boat. So that's out.

Now we are looking at...
Beach Club
Yacht Club
BoardWalk
What are the pros/cons to each of these. If you have experience with more than one, let me know which you prefer.

We are also looking at Wilderness Lodge, but I'm just not sure it's the "vibe" I want for our vacation and a couple places a AK, but again.. not sure its the vibe I want for our vacation. How is ease of travel to and from the parks with these?

The Contemporary also has a few rooms that fall within our budget, but I've never understood the big deal wth Contemporary. Am I missing something? Anyone want to sell me on what's so great ?

We should qualify for the 40% room discount (Salute to Heros or whatever it is), so ultimately it will come down to what the final price is on these places, but I'd like to have an idea of which I'd prefer if they all come out to be within our budget (and I think they will).

We are planning our trip dates for 14th-20th. Planning on doing 4 days in the parks a rest day in between and doing MNSSHP the night of our "rest" day and doing another "rest" day on Friday, then leaving out on Saturday.

 

[stormyR]

Also wouldn't mind Port Orleans... but hows the travel to and from Disney with that? We won't have a car, so staying at a place with easy (and fairly quick) transportation to and from the park is a must.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks to you and your family for all you've sacrificed to keep us safe.

OK, to your question: I've never stayed there, but how about the Swan/ Dolphin?

http://www.swandolphin.com/offers/troops/index.html
Take a look at the part about getting a 2nd room for as little as $129.

Why not call and see if you can get connecting rooms?

The resorts are an easy walk to both Epcot and DHS, and you can get to the other parks by bus.

 

[dminnie]

We thought the transportation was pretty quick from CSR. You might think getting two rooms there. Maybe the "business class" rooms. It's in Cabanas, right between the pool and El Centro. "Business class" is like "lite" club level at the deluxe resorts. Somewhere there are pictures of the food/drink offerings at it.

POR is really nice too, with the boat to DTD and carriage rides.

I think the bus service is pretty good at both of those, especially CSR. You don't even notice conventioneers and many people say the busses are less crowded because of them. It's very pretty at CSR at night. You could take a walk around the lake in the evening and lay on the hammocks together. Also, a very large hot tub.

 

[dminnie]

Oops. Sorry, I suggested 2 moderate rooms thinking that would work in your budget. Maybe one deluxe room is better for the budget? I think I was focusing on the separate sleeping areas

Even with one room, I think I'd still suggest CSR. It would be very romantic to take a walk around the lake in the evening there. And the business class room might be a reason to send Mom and DD away for a bit..."could you take her for a snack in the lounge?..."

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have stayed at the BC, YC, BWI and WL and like the BC the best. It is the closest to Epcot of the three Epcot area resorts. It also has the Marketplace, which is the closest thing you'll get to a counter service restaurant there. The pool at the BC/YC is a great place for grandma to take her granddaughter while mom and dad relax. You can request a day bed at the BC/YC or BWI, which is a nice option, too.

The WL is a very nice resort, too. The rooms are smaller than at the three Epcot resorts, but they are just as nice. There is a boat that goes directly to MK from the lodge. There is another boat that goes between WL, Fort Wilderness and the Contemporary Resort. The bus to MK is a five minute ride. If you plan to go to the Magic Kingdom a lot, this is a nice option.

 

[stormyR]

Thanks Aliceacc. I considered the swan and dolphin but I think we'd rather stay at a Disney owned resort, for a bit of that extra "magic".

I've been so back and forth on this. I've worked out about 100 (ok, more like 10) different scenarios, taking into account booking a full price room at a moderate, buying tix through Disney and getting free dining, booking 2 moderate rooms our entire stay, booking a deluxe and not worrying about romantic time, booking a moderate w/ a 2nd room for DH and I for a couple of the nights.

I *think* I've decide on one room at the beach club, then hope if we end up having the money we can get a 2nd room for part of our stay when we get there (or upgrade to a suite!)

After reviewing the schedule we made, I'm guessing both of us are going to be too tired to have much extra fun anyway.

 

[darkwing818]

We've stayed at all three & love them all. We just got back from the Beach club 4 weeks ago. Yacht & Beach have the best pool IMO. All 3 have access to great restaurants & walking distance to EPCOT.
so my ranking would be:
#1. BC
#2. YC
#3. Boardwalk

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We've stayed at all three & love them all. We just got back from the Beach club 4 weeks ago. Yacht & Beach have the best pool IMO. All 3 have access to great restaurants & walking distance to EPCOT.
so my ranking would be:
#1. BC
#2. YC
#3. Boardwalk

I agree and would put these in the same order for your family

 

[mickeynut1]

I *think* I've decide on one room at the beach club, then hope if we end up having the money we can get a 2nd room for part of our stay when we get there (or upgrade to a suite!)

Not sure if you've considered it, but if the Poly is an option, the rooms are much larger than at the BC and all rooms come with a daybed (which is only a request at the BC). The rooms at the Poly are a little more expensive than at the BC, but being close to MK and being on the monorail is very convenient (which would be great for your party night). Plus, the Poly is just a 5-7 minute walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail. With that said, the BC is a beautiful resort as well and I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose .

 

[sandbmisnfla]

We have stayed at the BC with 5 people had a great time love the pool, movie nights and proximity to epcot and HS. We usually stay at the Dolphin now for the same proximity with a cheaper rate- its our favorite area