Not sure what to do regarding resort

[jeepgirl30]

I've been to Disney several times as an adult, all without kids! Most of the times I was the event planner for a conference. Everything was adult oriented.

I am FINALLY going to get to take my babies! We are planning a family trip for next Sept/Oct. "We" consist of myself, 35, DH 34, my mom and dad and my amazing Princess obsessed 5 yr old (at time of travel) and my incredibly active almost 3 yr old (at time of travel). We want to go prior to the little guy being 3 so he is still free!

I have stayed many many times at Coronado, once at CBR, 2X at the Dolphin and once at GF. Hands down CS is my fav however I'm forcing myself to break away! DH has stayed at CS, GF and Dolphin each once with me. The dolphin was disappointing as it was just so conference oriented. CBR was okay but this was prior to refurb and my room was nasty. Dirty, smelled like smoke etc. Sort of left a bad impression. I wasn't there enough to see other areas. GF was beautiful but not somewhere I'd be comfortable with my wild child son! He likes to swing from chandellers and I have a feeling I'd be frowned upon.

This year we have had major financial setbacks. Therefore we can't plan the trip any closer than sept but are all dying to go! We need to be very budget minded but want it to be a trip to remember for everyone. We have been looking at ASSmovies and it looks nice but I'm worried it will be really disappointing. There aren't water slides, there isn't a lounge (for DH when he has enough of my mom! ).

My dream is to stay at either the Poly or AKL but this trip it is totally out of the question.

I'm wondering, after the long ramble, should I wait to book until after the new packages come out and see about POR or book the ASSmovies now and just go with it? Or wait until a lot closer and hope for a good code?

I've never used the codes as most times were all company paid. Only once did I pay and we lucked out on a computer error for our package!

If I go with ASSmovies, will the kids be impressed? Personally if I have to sleep in a shoebox so my lil princess meets a "real" princess so be it but I don't want them to be disappointed. My parents are very budget minded so they don't care. They never stayed on property so they don't care either. DH is a little picky. He liked CS, would love to stay at BC or BWI mainly because its walking distance to ESPN.

Any suggestions?

 

[CheshireVal]

Hmmmm you could go ahead and book Movies and then if any specials or deals come around for POR, you could switch.

Have you considered Pop Century? It's just as fun for kids as the All-Stars (lots of big icons, fun pools, and fountains to play in), PLUS it's the only value resort with an indoor lounge for the grown-ups! The food court is a lot nicer and seems more "intimate" than those at the All-Stars as well.

I've stayed at all All Stars and Pop, and I definitely think Pop has a nicer atmosphere overall. Seems more comparable to moderate resorts than the All Stars.

No matter what you choose, I'm sure you'll have a fabulous trip!

 

[luvsTink]

Last year we took ALL our princesses (16, 6, 4) and we stayed at POP and everyone:kids, mom and dad...were Happy. Of course, we never stayed anywhere else so we had nothing to compare it to, but the kids liked the bright themeing, the pop jet water area and the festive public areas.

Also, with codes and discounts you might find that the AK is not out of reach. But who knows with the new packages how that will all play out.

Good luck in your decision making. We will be at POFQ next month and it might be a good option as well.

Anne

 

[lovethattink]

We've stayed at many of the Disney resorts with kids. Only one Disney trip was without children and that was before they were born. In the past 10 years, we've stayed at BC twice absolutely loved it, Boardwalk Villas once, Coronado Springs 5 times, CB once---didn't like, All-star sports 3 times, AS movies once, AS music twice, and POR 3 times. The Beach Club is our hands down favorite place to stay. Best pool and easiest access to Epcot and MGM. Sadly to say, we no longer stay there because of the kids. It is not easy to grab a quick bite to eat there since they do not have a food court. Our 2nd favorite resort is POR. DS(10) loves the theme pool, fishing, and boat rides. I like the shade, lot's of trees. DH likes it because there is so much to do there. Our 3rd favorite is Coronado Springs. We love the pool. I like the wide selection of food at the food court. At CS the bus stops are easy to get to. POR does not have as great of a selection as CSR and POFQ has a few less items at food court than POR. POR only has 1 bus stop directly at one of the room's buildings, so could be a LONG walk to bus stop. There aren't too many differences between the moderates and the values. There is only 1 bus stop at values. The rooms are slightly smaller at the values. There is no hair dryer. There is less drawer space too. We have never felt cramped in a value room. We usually are only there to sleep anyway.

 

[HM]

I think your kids will love the All Star resorts, but I think you just might be disappointed.
I'd wait to make your plans until specials come out, so you can judge just what the deals will be.
I never make reservations until the codes are posted and it's always given me plenty of time to plan the trip.

Good luck with whatever you decide. -HM


BTW- We've stayed at ASMu (first trip), CBR, WL, AKL, Poly, BWI, GF and YC.
The kids have liked them all and prefer AKL and WL. BUT, they still ask when can we stay at ASMu again (they were just 4 and 6 then/now are 11 and 9) and have asked to stay at PopC from the looks of the outside. So if you are really trying to please the children...they will be happy no matter where you stay....they have nothing to compare.

 

[Grumpy92]

If you can afford the moderates I would suggest POFQ. They recently rehabbed all the rooms. It is a nice small resort with beautiful grounds and a wonderful boat to DTD. I also think the kids would love the dragon slide at the pool. If you are staying their you also have access to the amenities at POR too.

 

[DisneyDW]

I agree with HM - your kids will love ASMovies but you may not feel the magic. My kids loved, loved, loved the huge figures - especially Toy Story. They have a great playground and just like splashing in the pool - weren't big enough for big slides anyway (2 & 4). They have a decent food court and bus service is good. If you're budget conscience, I don't think kids care too much about where they stay, as long as they are at Disney! They would probably appreciate a character meal more than an upgrade on accomodations.

Kids can't appreciate all of the little things that make a deluxe or moderate easier because we do everything for them anyway!

 

[precious pixie]

You should look into renting points for some studios or other type of villa room. We are renting points at the Boardwalk for our honeymoon in June. It is costing us the same as a moderate hotel would. It is a very easy process. You would just go to the DVC board and can find everythin you need. All you do is look up the amt of points you would need for your vacation depending on the time you go the points vary. You can then post on the rent/trade forum for how many points you need. People rent out their points for around $10. Theie are no taxes or fees associated with it so you just multiply $10 (or whatever dollar amt you agree on) by the amt of points you would need and thats the total cost.
This would allow you to stay at the BWV or BCV which your DH will like and the pools and boardwalk area are a great entertainment. Good luck!

 

[peacefulgirl]

I agree with HM - your kids will love ASMovies but you may not feel the magic.

We loved the ASMO !! How can you NOT feel the magic with DISNEY all around you ??? I thought it was great for kids and adults alike! My MIL LOVED it too... JMHO, I wouldn't take a kid to a resort that wasn't all Disney ...

 

[OffToDis]

This Trip Is For The Kids Do The All-star Movies They Will
Love It

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

Just to let you know...

It's not "ASSmovies", lol it's "ASmovies"...

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

You might want to go over to the Budget Board... They have lots of suggestions over there for wringing every last cent dry of pixie dust. It's a little hard to make a suggestion without knowing what your projected expenditure might be. You could be looking at All-stars when (as someone pointed out) renting points from a DVC'er might work out well for everybody. Kids love the BWV and BCV pools. Point-wise September is a low season as it gets so you might be able to swing luxury accomodations at a moderates rate. Since there are six of you you would need two rooms anyway...a two bedroom condo could save you a bit of change if you make use of the kitchen & full sized fridge. Also OKW is getting a slide and the points for their two bedrooms is the lowest on property.

Another option is to buy one AP to get the AP discounts...you didn't say how long you were going for and APs can have great discounts on rooms. You don't have to have the AP in hand to make the reservation but you do need to pick it up before you check in.

 

[swilphil]

Renting points at a BWV studio (Sun-Thurs is much cheaper). My other choices would be Port Orleans or the Contemporary. CR is less expensive than BC or BW, and you can see the castle from some of the garden wing rooms. I don't know if you have been to the Dolphin since it's been rehabbed. The rooms are so much nicer now.

 

[DisneyFan09]

I agree with earlier posters who suggested Pop Century. I was just there in October and was thoroughly impressed. This was my first stay at a value, and my last stay was at the Poly so I was a little worried. The lake really makes it seem more like a moderate but unlike moderates there is only one bus stop and travel times seemed much faster than any moderate I've ever stayed at!! The gift shop and food court are awesome and even though there is no slide, the pool area is very impressive.

 

[dmonroe]

I would definitely look into renting points from a DVC member. You could have a deluxe room at close to the price of a moderate.