Newbie: Which Resort to Choose?

[javajane]

We're beginning to plan our first trip to WDW for the 1st week of December, 2008. We've been doing a lot of research and think we have it narrowed down to 2 resorts. I'd love input or comments from the experts out there.

We have 2 kids, ages 2 and 5. We'll be getting 2 rooms since my parents will be going as well. It works out well- a few adults can go out in the evening for a drink, walk or people-watching while another adult can stay back with the kids. We'd like a nice pool, a playground area and neat holiday decorations.

Our choices:
1. Coronado Springs Resort
2. The Dolphin

Thoughts? Suggestions? The prices are within about $200 or so of each other. Of course, we'd always love to save $$- are codes a more likely option with CSR? Should I book whatever I choose through DU? The whole dining reservation thing overwhelms me. Oh... I and the kids have never been. DH went once as a child (in case that makes a difference in your ideas.)

Thanks for your input!

 

[luckytobeme88]

Personally I would choose neither.

 

[TweedleDee]

Both are very nice resorts. The Dolphin would be my pick.

 

[APK]

I would consider POFQ, it is much smaller than CSR, (less walking) and less spread out, also has the best bus service for a moderate, We stayed there last year and thought we were in a delux! I still can't understand why you have to pay to park your car at the Dolphin, they ought to include it in the room rate.( instead of $210.00 a night, charge $219.00 a night with "free" parking)

 

[luckytobeme88]

Have you look into Animal Kingdom Lodge? If you are going the 1st week of December, it is still "value season" for AKL. As an AAA member, you can get a deluxe room there for $191.25 + 12.5% tax. It will be a perfect resort for your whole family. Did I say the children activities are great too?

 

[Mayl]

Neither one to be honest

Have you given POR or French Quarter a look? They are great mods and run the same price range as the other two.

Dolphin is not a disney resort.

CSR has many issues also. It is a convention resort with tons of folks in suits and very very undisney feel to it. You pay a surcharge to eat there in the food court and the staff is not very friendly. There is also an issue with the convention folks taking over the pool in the afternoon/evening and making families with kids feel very uncomfortable there. Bus service was solid here though. Which was good, because we wanted to spend less time here.

CBR I have never been too so can not comment. I do know their main pool is down for a chunk of 2008. keep that in mind

But I have done POR with connecting rooms and it was wonderful. The pool was amazing for kids that age and the food court was head and shoulders better then the one in CSR. Staff was friendy and you have a boat to DTD for meals and shopping. FQ is smaller and you can use both POR services. Bus service can be hit or miss at POR vs FQ just depends on the time of year.

 

[f7prez]

Dolphin would be my pick. Location Location Location. Others are offering up POFQ because it is small and less walking. Not even in the same category. Dolphin is a gorgeous hotel that is under one roof. Very easy access to EPCOT, MGM, Boardwalk and a whole lot of good restaurants. I would also pick CSR over POFQ. Other than all the walking some people are concerned with, CSR offers a more adult atmosphere, better food choices and overall nicer resort from landscaping, themeing, pools.

 

[DisneyChristmas]

With the two little ones, is there any way that you could do a garden view at the Contemporary (back wings) or Polynesian and be close to Magic Kingdom?

 

[luckytobeme88]

javajane,
didn't you say you want to spend around $200 per room? now, it's up to your own liking of which resorts work better for you, right? Go to the resort photo thread to check out all the resorts.

 

[Baltazar]

I wasn't thrilled with Caribbean Beach, it's too spread out (Long walk to the lobby), and there were not a lot of kids for our sons to play with in the pools. Coronado Springs looks like a similar setup. But if you are going at Christmas time, you may appreciate the space.

I believe Pop Century has suites available, which are two regular rooms with a connecting door. Value resorts have a lot more kids and all the hotels look the same when you're sleeping.

Not sure what kind of resort amenities you are looking for, the moderate rooms are a bit bigger.

As for getting your dining reserved you just call 1 phone number when you get your days, places and times narrowed down.

I use a Disney certified travel agent when we go, it costs nothing and they are packed full of advice.

 

[Baltazar]

Dolphin is not a Disney resort.

This is true, technically it's not. neither is the Swan.

 

[One Hundred]

Have you look into Animal Kingdom Lodge? If you are going the 1st week of December, it is still "value season" for AKL. As an AAA member, you can get a deluxe room there for $191.25 + 12.5% tax. It will be a perfect resort for your whole family. Did I say the children activities are great too?

It's been a while but I bought an annual pass and got a room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for $121 plus tax in the off season (Jan). Kids absolutely loved it.

 

[javajane]

All good comments- thank you.

More on our reasoning... when we book trips, we like quiet, relaxing places that feel a bit plush even in our limited budget. We like the kids to have things to do but want to resort to suit all of us (ie. still feel grown-up and a bit a pampered) and help us feel relaxed as we're not commando-vacationers. We like to relax and wander around exploring; we plan to spend 9-10 days in Orlando so we can see a lot without constantly pushing ourselves. On past enjoyable vacations, one of our favorite things has been being able to walk out of our hotel room and find fun places to eat or people watch on walks. We walk a lot in our family.

I'd love to consider AKL but felt it was out of our price range. As we get closer, I suppose we could watch for codes if we book ourselves and purchase an AP to get a discount if it warranted the savings. Good idea- thank you.

Also, we may overlap with Pop Warner and aren't some of them at POR or POFQ? Those looked fine but that worried us and CSR just looked more relaxing. Well, we have plenty of time and can just book something for now and consider switching down the road, I suppose.

Again, thank you all.

 

[Baltazar]

All good comments- thank you.

More on our reasoning... when we book trips, we like quiet, relaxing places that feel a bit plush even in our limited budget. We like the kids to have things to do but want to resort to suit all of us (ie. still feel grown-up and a bit a pampered) and help us feel relaxed as we're not commando-vacationers. We like to relax and wander around exploring; we plan to spend 9-10 days in Orlando so we can see a lot without constantly pushing ourselves. On past enjoyable vacations, one of our favorite things has been being able to walk out of our hotel room and find fun places to eat or people watch on walks. We walk a lot in our family.

I'd love to consider AKL but felt it was out of our price range. As we get closer, I suppose we could watch for codes if we book ourselves and purchase an AP to get a discount if it warranted the savings. Good idea- thank you.

Also, we may overlap with Pop Warner and aren't some of them at POR or POFQ? Those looked fine but that worried us and CSR just looked more relaxing. Well, we have plenty of time and can just book something for now and consider switching down the road, I suppose.

Again, thank you all.

Coronado Springs seems to be the way to go, it's a newer resort.

Mousesavers.com has lots of discount ideas and let you know ahead of time when deals are coming.

 

[LaDolce]

Jane:
Something to think about - renting DVC points from an owner. We're doing this and what would have been a trip staying at the POR turned into a trip at the Beach Club Villas, complete with two bedrooms, a living room and full kitchen. My parents and I pooled our money and came up with a MUCH better deal. Plus, the Beach Club is marvelous for kids - the hotel can't be beat for holiday decorations and the pool is so good your kids will never look at another pool the same way again. Iknow other folks love other villa set-ups as well. Check out the DVC pages for more info. And enjoy!

 

[pooh2001]

Dolphin - get an AAA discount. Join Starwood (parent of S/D resorts - Westin/Sheraton) and get a free upgrade on your room.

LOCATOIN can not be beat.
Buses are very prompt. Boat to EXPOT & STUDIO. Walk to EPCOT.
Have pizza on the Boardwalk - dinner for $30 - great deal.

AAA will also get you 20% off Dophin & Swan owned restaurants, including Dolphin Foutain & Picabu's 24 hour open snack area.

Best pools - yes POOLS - more than one. The Grotto pool has a water slide and water fall. Great kiddie pool. You can rent swimmies, floats, noodles, etc.
You can bring your own swimmies if needed.
Plenty of towels available at the pool.

The Dolphin is a deluxe - the CSR is a moderate, less of a good location and all buses.

Add you own Disney theming - gift from Disney Florist, Disney themed cups, tootbrushes, tootpaste, plushes, t-shirts (pre-bought)...

Do the Dolphin

 

[disneydom]

I will have to agree with pooh2001 there's alot to explore at the epcot resort area , swan dolphin boardwalk yacht and beachcluband being a short walk to the parks its perfect

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I know you have probably already put alot of thought into it to be able to narrow it down to just 2 so of the two I would pick Coronodo Springs. We just stayed there and I loved it. I had read mixed review on here but ultimately it comes down to what you like. CSR is big and spread out but its also quiet and relaxing. We ddin't feel like we had to walk a long distance to get to the main building and its such a beautiful resort the walks were pleasant (even in the september heat). The food court and store were huge w/ a great selection and the bus services were excellent.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info. Best pool, food court and non shared transportation of all the mods.

Here are some x-mas pics of CSR!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

You cannot go wrong with either! Being near Epcot is a real perk to Swan/Dolphin. And it is a deluxe level resort. Although I have to say, I would probably go with CSR for the fact that it is a Disney resort if nothing else, we love the spread out grounds, lake and southwestern theming. We loved our stay there. We had absolutely no feel of an adults only environment at the pool or anywhere else. In fact the earlier report of that on this thread was the first time I had heard anyone say that. I am not discounting that poster's experience, but I do not think that is the norm. It was quiet but still a lot of fun, if I hadn't known from disboards it was a convention resort, I would have certainly not been able to pick up on that from staying there. Buses are great, they don't share and since some of the guests are conventioners, they don't go to the parks much if at all.

The food court is very good and the full service restaurant Maya Grill was excellent the night we ate there. The main pool is incredible.

And since you say you like to be pampered but not at a huge price, CSR would fit that bill. You have the amenities of a deluxe (room service, spa and salon) at a moderate price. Although again, Dolphin is a deluxe and it doesn't sound like for a whole lot more than CSR. And I hear they have the heavenly beds which is very tempting.

We loved this resort, this was our one and only Disney trip where we didn't do the parks (before a Disney cruise) except for Blizzard Beach so we spent a lot of time here in the four days we stayed there. We loved it. I love all the moderates and have stayed and enjoyed them all. CSR did not disappoint for our family.

And while the Swan Dolphin are walking distance to MGM and Epcot, you will be sharing a bus much of the time with Boardwalk and Beach Club to the MK and AK. Since those are the two parks my family spends the most time at, we had a real issue staying in that area (at Boardwalk) the time we did. I felt like the bus sharing there was a pain for our trip. But that was based on one stay for my family, so I am not an overall expert, that was just our experience! Again, I don't think you can go wrong either way!