New Here - Opinions Needed

[smeewally]

Hello,
My family, and 2 others (12 people total) have just booked our first trip to Disney World in Jan. We booked a land/sea package, and are really excited to finally experience first hand what you all have been talking about!
Here's our problem. After reading these boards, we decided the best course of action would be to fly in the day before our "real vacation" started to get a jump on the parks. We are staying at the BC so wanted to book a room only for Sat. night. The only rate they had was close to $400, which we cannot justify since we don't arrive until 4:00 that afternoon.
Here's my question. Given the choice between staying at a"moderate" or "value" Disney property would you do that or stay at a hotel located on Disney grounds but not "affiliated" itself. ie: Holiday Inn, Westin, Grosvenor, by Downtown Disney. We would like some ammenities and fun things to do with our kids that first night, and the proximity of the last 3 to Downtown Disney is a plus. Does anyone have first hand experience with any of these hotels? Will they transfer our luggage to the BC as a Disney Hotel would?
We've planned on not being able to do early entry to MK that morning since we'll have to register at BC to get our UPH tickets at 8:00.
Any advice anyone can offer to us first timers would be much appreciated. I look forward to reading what you have to say and am glad to be joining the "in crowd"!
Stacy...

 

[Scoootch]

Given the choice, I'll always pick on-sight at a WDW resort. You just don't get the theming and ammenities that Disney gives otherwise IMO (and it can cost less too ) I had family staying at Wyndam Palace in DTD while we were at FQ for a weekend this past June and we paid signifacantly less and I didn't think that hotel was all that much to brag about. Go with a moderate or even a value - you won't be dissapointed.

Oh, by the way, Disney will only transfer luggage between their own "Disney owned" resorts

 

[MrsJ Henry]

First off... WELCOME !!!!
This is a great board and you will love it.
Everyone here is so helpful.
I can't really answer any of your questions but I know someone will be along who can.
My suggestion to you since this is your first trip is to read read read the boards. I have been to WDW around 10 times ( ok... some of those were when i was young) And I have gotten so much info from these boards. I also have three quide books.
You can not get too much info when it comes to WDW. The more you know the better your trip will be.
So ... I'm sure many of the experts will be by soon to help you out and I hope you have a great time!!!!

 

[susy]

Since you will be arriving at 4pm, I'd say go for a value or moderate. If you think the kids will be up to swimming and a poolslide is important, then go with a moderate. They also have sit-down restaurants , which would be nice after a day of traveling. If a poolslide is not that important for one night and you don't mind a food court (they are VERY nice), then I would just do a value. Since you will be getting a relatively "late" start on the first day-after checking into BC, getting UPH,etc, I would do Epcot that day (it's two minute walk from the BC!). Epcot is a good park to start with (especially with kids). After experiencing the other parks, Epcot is often a "let down" for kids who are looking for the "rides". My six year-old son LOVES the kid-cot stations in the world showcase, as well as the rides and movies. If you don't want to do a sit-down meal, you can "eat around the world", just getting a bit here and there from the counter service in each country. Remember to rent strollers for the kids and you may want to split up once inside the park. It's hard for a large group to stay together with bathroom breaks and people wanting to look in stores and such. Some people really like to go "commando", while others like to "stop and smell the roses".

 

[susy]

Don't forget to do the character breakfast at the BC-that's where the picture in my signature is from!

 

[kandmwedding]

I second everything suzy said!!! Go for the value if you're not diehard about having a slide (my personal fave is Pop Century!!!). If the slide is important try a moderate. I've heard Coronado Springs and Port Orleans French Quarter have the best ones. Good luck!

 

[erinch]

I would book a moderate or a value--and then keep a close eye out for rate reductions. If the price goes down, you might be able to swing BC.

Otherwise, if you can get a good rate as time goes on, one night at the Animal Kingdom Lodge would be a real treat--particularly with no pressure to get to a park. Sometimes you can get a non-savannah view room for not a great deal more than a moderate. Check on mousesavers for codes as you go along.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by smeewally
Given the choice between staying at a"moderate" or "value" Disney property would you do that or stay at a hotel located on Disney grounds but not "affiliated" itself. ie: Holiday Inn, Westin, Grosvenor, by Downtown Disney.

By the Westin, do you mean the Swan (and its sister hotel Dolphin) that is between Beach Club and the Boardwalk? We have stayed at the Swan and love it. They have some great rates too--govt/teacher/nurse/AAA/Entertainment Book for around $139 a night. One big advantage for you is the Swan and Dolphin will move luggage for you to the Beach Club. That way your family could do Early Entry on your first day and return to the BC that afternoon where you'll luggage will be waiting. We always switch to another park on MK EE days as the park gets way too crowded. My family is one of those who MUST do MK as our first park. My kids would absolutely die if we didn't.

 

[smeewally]

My bad, one of the hotels I was referrencing was the Wyndham, not the Westin.
Thank you all for the great information so far. I knew this was the right place to ask.
I think we may go ahead and do Epcot that first day, as I'm not sure how long it will take to get to the BC, check in, and then get our passes. Although I know my kids will be dying to get to MK.
How similar is it to Disneyland in terms of rides, etc.?We're lucky enough to live only about an hour from there so my kids probably go about 2-3 times a year. The other 2 families have AP to Disneyland.
From reading the different boards it sounds like we may not get our luggage until 3:00 or so if we stay at one of Disney's hotels the night before and have them move it.
With 3 families going together, we've already decided just to kind of let everyone do their own thing. Maybe meet for breakfast, dinner, etc. Our kids range in age from 3-14, so I know some things may not be appealing to the various age ranges.
I will definitely keep checking rates, discounts, etc. Thanks again!

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

I would stay at a value for the one night.

 

[2MuchOhana]

Welcome! This is a great place to come for advise and information!

Since you want to be close to DTD that night I recommend staying at POR or POFQ. You could take the boat ride over to DTD and have all benefits of staying on-site!

Have fun planning!

Jodi

 

[erinch]

smeewally:
I grew up about an hour from Disneyland, and vividly remember what it was like to watch them build Pirates, and the Haunted Mansion and Country Bear Jamboree.

One of the things which no posts can prepare you for is how HUGE WDW is, compared to DL. You'll be astounded. I think MK wins, hands down, with the exception that Pirates is much better at DL (IMO) and I'll never get over not seeing the Matterhorn loom.

It's a very good idea to let families do their thing, and plan to meet up once a day or so.

What age are the kids? A "first visit" to MGM might be an exciting way to start.

Lots of folks are willing to help here, don't hesitate to ask

Erin

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by erinch
What age are the kids? A "first visit" to MGM might be an exciting way to start.

I agree with Erin. Visiting MGM for the first time is a thrill and it is just a little bit further than Epcot. The boat ride over might be fun for the kids too, and the older ones will love Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster. You could still go to Epcot in the evening for dinner at World Showcase and Illuminations. If you stay at a value and have them move all your luggage, you can just take a small tote bag to the BC at checkin with swimsuits and a change of clothes and check the bag at the front desk when you check in just in case you don't get your room until 3.

 

[sters]

If you're arriving at 4 pm, or even later if there are delays, just stay at a value on site. Or, if DTD is on the agenda for that night, the Port Orleans with a boat launch to DTD would be a good choice.

We usually just stay off site at a Best Western or something because the value or moderate WDW resorts ARE our upgrade! The advantage to staying at, say the All Stars, is that Disney will move your luggage for you but if you stay off site you do have the hassle of moving your stuff.