Lol, I hear ya! I really wish they'd create a sticky for all those "We love XYZ hotel!" threads. It's a lot for newbies to clunk through and just clutters the resorts board up. If I had 3 wishes for the DIS, that would be first.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask them. Don't feel like you have to comb through all those long threads!
When the monorail isn't getting stuck (which it is infamous for doing) and hasn't been shut down at night (which it sometimes is), it's a nice perk for monorail resorts on MK days.
A lot of people focus on drive times, but if you're in any Disney hotel, you're close enough. They spend more time discussing it...you'll spend more time reading about it...than actually spent in the car. It's just a few minutes. Don't worry about drive times.
My advice...pick a Deluxe with a theme you like and go with it. Money doesn't necessarily indicate a better time. I like AKL more than GF and there is a big price difference there!
Also, don't go to a Disney hotel thinking you'll be in the lap of luxury with amazing service. They are well themed and close to the parks. Many, many people will pay just for that. They don't have to have the service that some luxury hotels do. They're good! I'm not saying they aren't! But compared to truly luxury-type hotels, the rooms are smaller and the service isn't as good.
I'd just hate for you to spend all that time working overtime and be disappointed.
There is nothing wrong with the WDW hotels. The staff is almost always very pleasant. They are not bad! And they are close to the parks! If you want to stay in a WDW hotel, you totally should!
I've done a lot of club level stays at Disney. A LOT. IMO, it isn't even close to worth what they charge for anyone who cares anything about the money. If the extra $150/night (or whatever it is) is nothing to you and you really just don't care about the money...it's still debatable, lol...but you might as well. If you care about the money and are working overtime to pay for it, I'd skip it.
Good luck choosing!
If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask them. Don't feel like you have to comb through all those long threads!
When the monorail isn't getting stuck (which it is infamous for doing) and hasn't been shut down at night (which it sometimes is), it's a nice perk for monorail resorts on MK days.
A lot of people focus on drive times, but if you're in any Disney hotel, you're close enough. They spend more time discussing it...you'll spend more time reading about it...than actually spent in the car. It's just a few minutes. Don't worry about drive times.
My advice...pick a Deluxe with a theme you like and go with it. Money doesn't necessarily indicate a better time. I like AKL more than GF and there is a big price difference there!
Also, don't go to a Disney hotel thinking you'll be in the lap of luxury with amazing service. They are well themed and close to the parks. Many, many people will pay just for that. They don't have to have the service that some luxury hotels do. They're good! I'm not saying they aren't! But compared to truly luxury-type hotels, the rooms are smaller and the service isn't as good.
I'd just hate for you to spend all that time working overtime and be disappointed.
There is nothing wrong with the WDW hotels. The staff is almost always very pleasant. They are not bad! And they are close to the parks! If you want to stay in a WDW hotel, you totally should!
I've done a lot of club level stays at Disney. A LOT. IMO, it isn't even close to worth what they charge for anyone who cares anything about the money. If the extra $150/night (or whatever it is) is nothing to you and you really just don't care about the money...it's still debatable, lol...but you might as well. If you care about the money and are working overtime to pay for it, I'd skip it.
Good luck choosing!
. The Grand Floridian Royal Palm Club (main building club level) is awesome, but I think your kids would enjoy the Poly more. The Poly is very laid back with a relaxing tropical atmosphere and an awesome pool, plus it's just 2 stops away from MK via the monorail and a 5 minute walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail. Another plus is it's convenient to many great restaurants at the GF and CR. You can also relax on the beach or be swimming in the pool while watching the fireworks. We've only stayed in a regular garden view room at the Poly, but I would definitely go with club level as the CL building (the Hawaii building) is right next to the main pool, which is very convenient for grabbing snacks and drinks while relaxing at the pool 
. Good luck deciding and have a great resort stay as well as a great cruise 
