Please help! Which would you choose? 1 night during Pop Warner

[dreambound]

We need a room for 1 night before staying at FW for 10 nights (camping.) Our first choices are not available, and it is Pop Warner time so I don't know if I want to stay at the values or some of the mods.

Things that are important: we need lots of things to do with two small kids. We'd like a resort where we could entertain the kids for an entire evening without having to leave the resort. A place where we can have dinner, entertain the kids, go to bed, sleep in, and leave the next morning for FW. This will be the end of the first week in December, so we won't know for sure if we can swim or not.

Here is what is available:

Grand Floridian
Animal Kingdom
BoardWalk
Saratoga Springs
Contemporary


Carribbean Beach
Port Orleans- both sides
Coronado Springs


All Star Music
All Star Sports

I'm a bit nervous about those values because the Pop kids will be having their last night there after their big MGM event day.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! We are AAA and can possibly get a discount if that makes a difference.

Thanks,

Meg

 

[spiceycat]

POR - either side.

It has a nice pool, a fishin' hole, an arcade (one of the best on WDW property), there is also biking riding for the entire family.

POR has a restuarant and a food court.

the kids won't see any parks - so they don't know that they can go to the parks from here.

 

[dreambound]

Good point about not seeing any parks.

I could be wrong, but doesn't POR house some Pop Warner kids?

 

[hddanis]

POR does house some of the Pop Warner kids. I'd be hesitant to stay there during that week. Stay far, far away from All Star Sports. They're all there!! I think you may be ok with Music though, I don't think the Pop kids go there (but I could be wrong).

I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but have you considered staying offsite your first night there, especially if you're not planning to go to any of the parks. It would probably be considerably cheaper and you'd have a better selection of places to stay.

 

[dreambound]

POR does house some of the Pop Warner kids. I'd be hesitant to stay there during that week. Stay far, far away from All Star Sports. They're all there!! I think you may be ok with Music though, I don't think the Pop kids go there (but I could be wrong).

I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but have you considered staying offsite your first night there, especially if you're not planning to go to any of the parks. It would probably be considerably cheaper and you'd have a better selection of places to stay.

We considered it, but we really want to use Magical Express and also have our luggage moved for us from the hotel to FW the next morning.

I just got Pop through AAA, but the WDW website says Pop has no availability. Does AAA have their own set of Pop rooms?

 

[HopperFan]

AKL if you can.
Swimming optional fun. LOTS OF ANIMALS day and night with night vision goggles, fireside stories, lots of games/activities for kids with CM students from Africa, cool art all over to explore, cookie making activity, african music and sometimes dance, my kids found it a great place to pin trade, even the gift shop is fun..........plenty to do and explore......and try BOMA for a great buffet of foods new and old.

PS I love POP, but other than arcade and pools, the only other thing would be to walk all over to explore the building decor.

 

[hddanis]

We considered it, but we really want to use Magical Express and also have our luggage moved for us from the hotel to FW the next morning.

I just got Pop through AAA, but the WDW website says Pop has no availability. Does AAA have their own set of Pop rooms?

I've discovered what shows unavailble online isn't always the case. I'm not sure about AAA having thier own rooms, but I'm guessing if they got you a room, then there still had to be some availability. Pop would be my first choice of Values during Pop Warner week (DH and I were originally going down that week, but staying at Coronado Springs..only the 2 of us, no kids)

 

[dreambound]

Yikes, I did NOT get Pop. It took me all the way to the last page before it said no availability. This was AFTER I entered my credit card info. So we're back to the other resorts I mentioned.

 

[spiceycat]

can't recommend BW or CR for young kids - there is just too many things to do.

they won't sleep. Now for teens these places would be great.

GF is too close to the MK - don't want to heard - why can't we go.....


I didn't like CBR because the food court was a long walk.

CSR has a trolley and an excellent arcade - plus a great playground.

for the Pop warner - here is what I have learned

all star sports - backup all star music (avoid them both)

CBR - backup is POR (don't think POFQ is on here)

that say - All Star Movies and CSR can also have Pop Warner.

be happy you couldn't get Pop. Pop is across the street from WWoS - where the competition is going on. Some kids will get PoP (despite it not being on the list) just to be able to walk over. They pay extra for it.

 

[Disney Doll]

These would be my 3 recommedations and why. You can chooose which would be the best "fit" for your family:

AK - nice pool and all the animals to watch
BW - nice pool, the Boardwalk aitslef and all it offers (restaurants, shops, performers), walking distance to Fantasia Gardens mini golf which is across the street from the Swan/Dolphin
POFQ - compact resort, neat pool with a cool slide, little boat to DTD.

 

[dis-happy]

If it doesn't break your budet I'd go for Boardwalk. We've stayed there in Dec. when it was too cold to swim but still found it loads of fun. There's the Community House with games and activities, the option of biking around the BW, view of Illuminations from the bridge outside Epcot, plus the performers come INSIDE the Boardwalk lobby and do shows when it's too cold to be outside. They also have stories by the fireside. Plus, the Christmas decorations are the prettiest of all the resorts IMO. If it is warm enough to swim the pool and slide there are very popular. You could also run over to Beaches and Cream and eat or have an ice cream party with your family. What more could you ask for???

Second choice would be AKL for the animals.

Third choice would be POFQ for the pool.

Good luck!

 

[phanomouse]

I would say BW because you would be in an area that has a lot that you could do without leaving your resort or having to stray too far from it.

If you don't want to pay for a delux I would say CSR. I cannot believe I am suggesting it because it is by far my least favorite of the resorts however the pool is nice and you'll be able to find things to do with your children.

Now here is what my wife and I would do if we were looking in the Moderates during Pop week. We'd stay at POR and just not stress it. We've been with our oldest daughter many times when the resorts were packed with POP, Brazilian youth groups, etc and yes it was loud and annoying and I almost busted some heads. But... there is always something to do, somewhere to go to get away even if it isn't what you had in mind. Just be flexible, don't let things make you want to "bust some heads" and you'll have a great time.

 

[tropicalgirl]

Pop Warner is offering both POR resorts this year, POR and POFQ. This was announced on 10/1/07.