Newbie ... Help me decide

[stavidt]

Hi-

I have been many times...but our first trip as a family was at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. We rented DVC points. It is something to look into. We had the convience of the boat/ but had all the ammenities of a kitchen, laundry in the room, dishwasher, balcony and most importantly a seperate room from the kids. Which means in adult terms...the kids can go to sleep but you don't have to sit in the dark and whisper. It was a dream come true. It is cheapest to rent Sunday-Thursday and the rates go up significantly on the weekend. So what we did was stay at a moderate Friday and Sat. and then go to the ViWL Sun-Thursday. It was not a tough transition at all. The staff at the hotel takes care of all of your luggage and you don't have to miss a day at the parks at all!

This time is is not on our budget...but it is definately cheaper than two rooms at a deluxe. Good luck. Hope this didn't confuse you. Just go to DVC boards and look up renting points from someone if you are interested.

Personally staying at a deluxe vs. having a nice "apartment" and all the luxury stuff is worth it. Plus...the wilderness lodge is no joke is is beautiful!!!!!!!!!

 

[LJD2143]

Although a newbie to these boards, I am a veteran to Disney!

My 2 cent opinion, that I share with anyone who asks, is to get the cheapest room at the best Deluxe resort you can afford. Since our eyes are closed for most of the time we spend in our room (i.e. sleeping!), I never upgrade past the "standard" room type. It's not so much the room, as it is the AMENITIES at the hotel that make our Disney vacation so magical! Amenities such as:

Transportation options - the Poly has monorail, boat, bus, and walkability to TTC. It's such an added bonus to have the OPTIONS.

Proximity - since MK is our fave park, we always choose one of the MK resorts. I prefer to spend the least amount of time "en-route" as possible - resulting in more time in the Parks!

Pools - Some pools are better than others. My kids happen to prefer the Volcano slide at the Poly.

Restaurants - All of the Deluxe resorts have multiple, wonderful options: from Snack Shops, Counter Service, and first-rate Table Service.

Service - Ultimately, all Disney service is typically impeccable. However, the Deluxe resorts, undeniably, have that "little something extra", "Magical!".

 

[michvin]

With children the ages of yours, the "convenience" will really make your vacation! The ability to roll on and roll off the monorail with children sleeping in their strollers is HUGE. To test the value you would place on convenience, put both your kids in strollers. Now pick them up (better if they are sleeping), fold the strollers while you are holding the child, then climb a few stairs and stand for 20 minutes to simulate your bus ride back to anything but a monorail resort. TRUST ME ON THIS!

Have a great trip wherever you stay

$1000 is a lot of money. The monorail resorts are very nice. But, all the parks aren't on the monorail and getting from a MK resort to Epcot isn't always a party. If you would like somewhere really nice to stay with your little ones I would pick a moderate, CSR (fabulous pool and play area) or POFQ ..beautiful grounds, walkway along water, boat to downtown disney, cool pool and very nice food court. We've stayed at all types of resorts and are now DVC members, but for economy sake and pleasure, I wouldn't put all of my money into a resort b/c its on the monorail...but thats' just me. Good luck!

 

[cara loves the poly]

$1000 is a lot of money. The monorail resorts are very nice. But, all the parks aren't on the monorail and getting from a MK resort to Epcot isn't always a party. If you would like somewhere really nice to stay with your little ones I would pick a moderate, CSR (fabulous pool and play area) or POFQ ..beautiful grounds, walkway along water, boat to downtown disney, cool pool and very nice food court. We've stayed at all types of resorts and are now DVC members, but for economy sake and pleasure, I wouldn't put all of my money into a resort b/c its on the monorail...but thats' just me. Good luck!

Epcot is just a short monorail ride away from the Poly also! (from the TTC right next door from Tahiti longhouse), Poly Pal - I was laughing in agreement, it was an AWESOME point!

 

[Poly Pal]

That's basically what I want to do; hubby thinks we should choose a room with a view. I don't plan to be in my room long enough to substantiate the extra money for the view.




Both my kids are very tall so the umbrella stroller doesn't really fit my 2 year old now. I was planning to bring our double stroller since that is a little more comfortable for both of them. (And gives me a nice big basket for storage!)

BTW, both kids will have their birthdays on this trip. When I make the advance dinner arrangements for their birthday dinners, should I let them know what we're celebrating? Will they do anything extra-special?

Oh you don't plan to be in the room long enough to notice a view? How about when the kids are napping? Seriously though, if this is the trip of a lifetime, I would vote with your husband and get the view that he wants. If this is the first of many family trips to WDW, then I stand by my recommendation to book the least expensive room at one of the monorail resorts (probably the Contemporary depending on discounts). We also always get a rental car too just so we can avoid the busses to MGM and AK. Makes traveling with kids that much more convenient.

As for big kids, my oldest is 14, 6'3", 200lbs, and wears a size 13 shoe. He was in a stroller (at Disney) until he was 7 or 8 (we broke our very expensive Perego umbrella stroller at Disney when he got too big and heavy for it!) We rented a stroller for my averaged sized 8 year old one night last year at the Magic Kingdom. The rest of us were ready to go, go go and he was zonked by 9 pm.

Have a really good trip. AND I REPEAT, TRUST ME, THE CONVENIENCE IS WORTH IT.

And cara who loves the Poly, I know you were laughing in agreement!

 

[aprilmommy0205]

Oh you don't plan to be in the room long enough to notice a view? How about when the kids are napping? Seriously though, if this is the trip of a lifetime, I would vote with your husband and get the view that he wants. If this is the first of many family trips to WDW, then I stand by my recommendation to book the least expensive room at one of the monorail resorts (probably the Contemporary depending on discounts).

Eh, I'm sure we'll be back within a few years.

As for big kids, my oldest is 14, 6'3", 200lbs, and wears a size 13 shoe.

That is big!

The rest of us were ready to go, go go and he was zonked by 9 pm.

I'll probably be ready to crash by 9 too!

 

[Poly Pal]

AMEN to that!

 

[ElizabethB]

We stayed with our twin boys in a garden wing room at the Contemporary Resort. We all loved it! Of course, the convenience to the Magic Kingdom can't be beat. The advantages only start there, however. The boys were fascinated by the monorail going in and out of the building. The rooms are very large and comfortable. (By contrast, the Wilderness Lodge rooms are uncomfortably small for two, let alone four.) The pools are great. The location on Bay Lake makes it easy to rent a boat and go for a relaxing cruise around the lake.

We had a first floor garden view room with a patio. Our view was of a pretty pond and some trees with Spanish moss. Ducks and bunnies came by our patio for handouts.

Rolling sleeping kids on and off the monorail in their strollers beats trying to haul kids and folded strollers onto buses any day. And, walking to MK was easy. Parking was very easy and convenient, too.

I'm one of those people who isn't willing to pay lots more money for a MK view. We were perfectly happy with our view, our room and the price we paid.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!