Need help picking resort for trip with the grandparents!

[dismom301930]

We are a family of 5 (DDs 12, 10 and 8) and have been to Disney 5 times since 2003. We have stayed offsite each time (I know, I know!). The last few times we have stayed in Windsor Hills and really enjoy the space we get for the money.

We are planning a trip with my parents for fall 2013 and we think it would be best (easiest) to stay onsite this trip. My parents (early 70s) will be able to go back to the resort when they want, we don't have to worry about rental cars, etc. Plus I always used to stay onsite when I was a kid (either Poly or Contemporary) and I know my parents enjoy the Disney magic!

I can use your help....which resort would you recommend? A few things I am considering.....

1. I want to make it as easy as possible for them to get to and from the parks if they want to take breaks during the day.

2. Not a lot of walking. My parents are in pretty good physical shape for their age, but I know the parks themselves are a lot of walking and my Dad has had knee replacement surgery so I want to minimize it wherever I can.

3. We will obviously be getting 2 rooms. Since we are a family of 5, it would be nice if we could sleep 5 in a room but it is not necessary because if only 4 are allowed then one of my DDs could stay with my parents. (They travel w/ my parents so this would not be a problem).

4. I would love to go during free dining, not sure if that will be available or how that even works! (Not sure if it is all resorts, for example.)

5. A small fridge would be excellent.

My initial thought is that one of the EPCOT resorts might be nice for easy proximity to both EPCOT and DHS. I would think that we might want to end up in EPCOT for dinner a lot of nights as well. But I am totally open to any and all suggestions!

Thanks so much in advance for you help/advice/thoughts!!!

 

[TrentzMom]

We are in the same boat...the grandparents are coming with us again this trip (did it in '09) and enjoy resting in the afternoons. We stayed at SSR last time and it was great because of the extra space and we were close to a bus stop. However, it was a longer bus ride (there are like 4 bus stops in the resort) and that resort is pretty well spread out but that didn't seem to affect them.

I've been looking at the Dolphin the past few weeks because of the teacher discount they give. The Dolphin will allow you to pay for a rollaway in your room so there's room for 5 and it's close to EPCOT. Unfortunately, if they offer FD next fall like they have in the past you wouldn't be eligible if you stayed at the Dolphin...that's the decision we are trying to make right now.

 

[Masonmj84]

We have a trip very similar to yours planned with my parents (we're a family of 4 and they're in their early 70's).

I'm hoping to do a Poly/BC split but am waiting on room discounts.

I like this because it allows us to be close to the park we're visiting every day, except the day we go to AK (but we usually only stay there for about half a day). In that regard, the only day we'll need to use buses is the day we go to AK.

It also allows us to try a bunch of different restaurants (some near MK and some near EP) while never being too far from our resort.

Moreover, it allows us to watch Wishes and Illumiations with an easy commute back to our room.

Plus we get to experience two different resorts (and two different pool complexes, etc.).

Of course this all presupposes that your parents won't mind changing resorts in the middle of the trip. My parents are very light packers and are used to vacations where they change accomodations multiple times (even at their age, they like to go to Europe and do the youth hostel thing as well as B&B their way around New England).

I plan to make the transition as easy as possible by visiting Epcot on the transfer day (catch the monorail from the Poly in the morning and then check in to the BC in the afternoon).

 

[MMS1125]

Grandparents are going with us next December and we're staying at the WL. I wanted a more compact resort with easy access to at least one park. I would have loved to book the Poly so I could show them our fave resort but couldn't splurge for 2 rooms at holiday prices so I went with a cheaper deluxe. One of my kids will have to stay in their room since we're 5 as well but that's no problem with them or us

 

[dismom301930]

Thanks for your replies!

I'm hoping to do a Poly/BC split but am waiting on room discounts.

How does a resort split work? Do "they" (Disney) move your luggage for you?

The Dolphin will allow you to pay for a rollaway in your room so there's room for 5 and it's close to EPCOT. Unfortunately, if they offer FD next fall like they have in the past you wouldn't be eligible if you stayed at the Dolphin

Are there other resorts that allow you to pay for a roll away? I like that idea, but I am really hoping for free dining so we can take advantage of a lot of TS meals! We usually just do a few (maybe 3) per trip when it is just our immediate family. But my parents really enjoy the sit-down meals (and shows like luau, etc.). I want to make this a special trip for them and free dining will be very helpful!

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks for your replies!

How does a resort split work? Do "they" (Disney) move your luggage for you?

Are there other resorts that allow you to pay for a roll away? I like that idea, but I am really hoping for free dining so we can take advantage of a lot of TS meals! We usually just do a few (maybe 3) per trip when it is just our immediate family. But my parents really enjoy the sit-down meals (and shows like luau, etc.). I want to make this a special trip for them and free dining will be very helpful!

You can do a split-stay between any of the resorts. Luggage can be handled however you choose - you can move it yourself if you have a rental car or wish to use a taxi, or Disney will move it for you. Be prepared to take whatever you may need that "moving" day with you in a carry-on/day-bag because if Disney is moving your luggage it could take a while to get to your new room, which also may not be available to you until late afternoon.

Another note on split-stay...if you are hoping for free dining, you will have to purchase separate packages for each resort. A free dining package typically (though it could change for next fall) requires a minimum 2-day MYW ticket, and that would need to be purchased for each person in your party to get the free dining. In comparison, a longer multi-day ticket will cost less because those first few days are the most expensive. IF you think you'll return again, you can always purchase the full days you need on 1 reservation and the minimum required on the 2nd resort reservation and save them for another trip. Also, dining credits associate with the first reservation will expire at midnight on the date you change resorts, so you have to use them up and start fresh with the credits on new reservation. Not impossible, just things to think about if considering a split-stay and hoping for free dining.

The Swan and Dolphin are not Disney-owned, though they have many of the on-site perks of the Disney resorts. Other Disney resorts that allow 5 people have a murphy bed, trundle bed or day bed permanently in the room. The only "bed" Disney will allow to be added to a room is a crib, not a roll-away. So rooms for 5 or more people are in the deluxe resorts, POR, the cabins at FW or the family suites at ASMu and AoA.

Good luck with the planning and enjoy your vacation!