Poll: Which Resort ?????

[canadianmom2three]

OK, Have been agonizing over this for ever, it is consuming me. I HAVE to book something so that I can get over this! (and on to agonizing over the ADR's!)
All options below include:
-6 day 5 night stay
-6 day basic tickets (no hopper no water)
-DDP
-Flight from DTW to MCO
-for 7 people (DH And I, DS11, DD8, DS5, and my 2 parents)

Option 1 - Value basic: POP -- $4928
-2 rooms (one room with DH and I and 2 kids, one room with my 2 parents and our other child)

Option 2 - Value Better - All Star Movies -- $5416
-3 rooms (one for DH and I, one for the kids, and one for my parents)

Option 3 - Moderate - POR -- $5702
-2 rooms (one for DH and I and all the kids, one for my parents, with option to send one of the kids to my parents room, or keep them all with us)

Option 4 - is there any other options??

We are on a very tight budget, really should just go with what's cheapest, but at the same time, I'm obviously wanting the best vacation possible, and the prices are quite close. I'm hoping for free dining to bring down the price, but we're going either way. TIA for any input!!

 

[themilesfamily]

A fourth option would be a family suite at All-Star Music for you and the kids and an additional room for your parents. That would be about the same price as Option #2.

Of the three options you listed, I would choose Option #2. (I like extra space to spread out, accommodate luggage, etc.)

 

[bsbrady]

If budget is the main concern, then go with the first option. If you can spare it I would definitely go w/ the POR. Its a much nicer resort that I think would make everyones experience much better

 

[heartbeeps]

A fourth option would be a family suite at All-Star Music for you and the kids and an additional room for your parents. That would be about the same price as Option #2.

I like this option too and voted for it.
I wouldn't let a the kids be in a room by themselves at their age. And, at their age, I think they'd just as content at AS resort that no need to pay for POR upgrade.

 

[cart-mom]

I agree with the pp. Rooms are limited, but if you can get it, I would go for the family suite at ASMU. You didn't list dates, either. That might play a factor in your ressies if they fall in with a free dining plan or some other deal Disney is offering. Also, just as Disney offer special deals to FL residents, they sometimes offer special deals to Canadian residents. Have you checked that out? Your older children might have more fun at a moderate resort if you will be spending any time there because they have more to offer in the pools and activities. Just something else to make you crazy with your planning ....sorry. There's just so much to consider .

 

[Shmily1]

I vote for option one... We love POP. Even when money is not an option, we have still stayed at POP 9 times.. so far!! I just love it there!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I voted option #1, because Disney will NOT guarantee connecting rooms if you have enought adults that they could be split between the rooms you have reserved. Disney will not let you book your kids into their own roomm, and the rooms might not end up even next to each other, let alone connecting.

 

[pooh2001]

Moderate - more space and refrigerators
You can fit a cot or sleeping bag in a moderate.
A cot would be near impossible in a value.
Also a moderate has better food options and a pool slide.

POR - has rooms which sleep five - tundle bed for a person below 5' tall - plus 2 double beds.

 

[canadianmom2three]

Thanks for all the input!!! Interesting, she quoted me on the family suite but stated that the 2 rooms (well 3, but 2 for our family, one my parents) was a better option since it would mean more space. She said it was guaranteed that we would have a connecting door, since the kids would be in the second room. If that would not be the case, there is no WAY I would want the 2 rooms. I will have to revisit the suite idea - she had said on the phone it is one bedroom with a living area with pull out. Can anyone tell me what bed (s?) are in the bedroom, neither DH and I, nor the kids really like pull outs for a week vacation, but if there were 2 doubles in the bedroom and the pull out, that would be fine. I can't seem to get that to come up online tho, will have to call again and ask more about the suites, I didn't even write down the price

 

[suzimar57]

i vote option 1 - but i love Pop Century!!!!

 

[kc5grw]

I voted for other. This probably isn't on your list of possibilities and not everybody has this option, but if you own an RV, Fort Wilderness is a great place to stay while at the World. It's a completely different environment than the hotels.

 

[Charleyann]

The rooms are small and with that many people you'd feel it! The three rooms give you space. All Star is so totally Disney...

Charleyann

 

[greenpea89]

Another vote for the family suite plus one additional room at ASM. Unfortunately, I don't believe that Disney will guarantee connecting rooms unless you are traveling alone with your children. If you have another adult (your husband for example) traveling with you then they rationalize that one adult could be in each room with your children divided between you. Since your parents are going too this may be a little trickier. That being said, I have only heard of a few times in the very busy summer and holiday months that families have not received connecting rooms. So, it is most likely, but not guaranteed, that you will receive connecting rooms. We have always been advised that connecting rooms are a request only and if we want guaranteed connecting rooms we need to book a two bedroom suite or villa.
Regarding beds in a family suite, I believe there is one queen size bed in the bedroom while the living room has one double and two single pullouts. From the reviews the pullouts sound as if they are surprisingly comfortable (no metal bar under the mattress). Be sure to check out the All Star Music Family Suite thread on the sticky page for fantastic reviews, extensive photographs of, and information about the family suites. Don't forget - two bathrooms plus a fridge, a microwave, and a coffee pot are standard, at no additional charge, in the family suites. Something that might come in handy over a one week stay. One other bonus is that the ASM rooms will all have been renovated (scheduled completion is, I think, June 2008) by the time you arrive and that might be something nice for your parents. I believe that the room rate for a family suite is $250- per night during the high season and would, of course, be lower at other times of the year. Have fun and let us know what you decide!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Just an FYI...we've always been "guaranteed" connecting rooms when we've booked the extra room for our 3 kids. They don't say one parent must stay in one room and the other parent in another room (unless this is a new policy). The only thing is, when we've done this we don't get the section of the resort that we preferred. For example, at ASMo we got the Herbie section. But it's been fine and never been an issue to be a little further away.