Questions for the Experts

[KMT]

After reading some of these posts I knew this would be a good place to come and ask some of my questions.... I have a bunch cause you all seem to know a lot about WDW.

First off ... our trip will be in early March and we will have our two five year old sons, our four year old daughter and DH and I.

I'm looking for ideas for a deluxe resort for the first 4.5 days....
Location to MK is important along with a pool. A suite would be great or suggestions on two rooms I guess.

then

to get a break and kick back a bit I was thinking about staying at one of the Home away from Home resorts or Animal Kingdom Lodge for the next 3.5 days.With the focus off the parks during those days... stuff to do for the kids and once again a good pool would be important. A larger villa 2 bedroom would be great or two rooms I guess.

Any suggestions or thoughts on resorts too stay at for the first 4.5 days and the next 3.5 days?

Thanks!!!!
Kris

 

[drgnfly30]

Unless cost is not a problem, I'd stay away from the villas etc... With your plan, my choice would be the Contemporary for the first 1/2 of your stay.. The rooms are the largest on property (other than a home away) & will accomodate 5. The rooms have 2 queen beds & a daybed. You can walk to MK & have the monorail for Epcot, Poly, GF.. the boat to FW etc...

If the second 1/2 of your trip will be more away from the parks you might consider going off property to the Holiday Inn Family Suites. They have a kitchette, a separate bedroom w/ a king bed, a curtained off bedroom w/ bunk or twin beds & a sofa bed, 3 tv's, Nintendo etc...

Of course these are just suggestions - but I hope this helps some.

Christine

 

[KMT]

oh yeah.... cost isn't a big issue so your best choices would be great!

Thanks
Kris

 

[GeekChic]

I too would definitely recommend the contemporary.

Quick access to everything; Chef mickey character dining right on site (your kids will surely want to meet the big mouse!) pools, beach (can't swim in the water tho!) also the 24 hour food and fun center which has a great little food service area for quick kid friendly stuff like chicken nuggets and fries (though i think the grill closes at 10)

definitely sounds like the CR would be a great fit for your group. Two five year olds and a four year old; bless your heart! my hat-of-motherhood is off to you my dear LOL i bet they're gorgeous.

have a great trip!!!

oh, forgot to say, if cost isn't an issue...maybe you might want to re-think changing resorts? moving resorts in the middle of the trip takes time and energy...if you aren't lost without a kitchenette, you might like staying at the CR the whole trip.

all the restaurants at the hotel are wonderful. if you and hubby want to try out the California Grill at the top for steaks or sushi, they have THE BEST macaroni and cheese on property (and my daughter did what we call the "macaroni and cheese tour of WDW" last year, she ate it every day everywhere we went), they also give the kids baskets of goldfish to snack on before the meal and you can draw on the paper table cloths!

just a thought!

if you have any questions just ask away! my family has been to WDW 44 times we've seen/done almost everything LOL
geek

 

[scanne]

First of all, welcome to the DIS!

If I were in your shoes, I would get a 1 bedroom suite at the Grand Floridian for the 1st part of your trip. I believe there is a suite in the Conch Key building that faces the castle and is close to the boat launch to MK. Of course you may want a suite in the main building, too, in order to have access to concierge services. The Grand Floridian is beautiful and there are lots of dining options, plus you can walk to the Polynesian for the luau or Kona Cafe or 'Ohana (my 2 favorite restaurants!).

For the 2nd half of your stay I'd choose Animal Kingdom Lodge - again a 1 bedroom suite on the concierge level. Great views of the animals, which I'm sure the kids will love, a nice size pool and a really relaxing, tucked away kind of feel.

I hope this helps to give you some ideas. Have fun deciding!!!!!!

 

[Gary M]

I agree the 1 bedroom suite at the GF would be a good choice for the first part of your stay.

 

[swilphil]

GF would be great for the first part of your trip. If that's not doable, I would probably suggest the Polynesian over the Contemporary.

I think a Home Away from Home villa would be great for the last part. I would probably suggest the Beach Club. They have the best pool in all of WDW. Plus you have lots of non-park things to do at the Boardwalk and nearby miniature golf. If you didn't get a chance to enjoy Epcot's World Showcase during the first part of your trip. It's a 5 minute walk (maybe less) from the Villas. I find WS to be very unparklike and quite relaxing.

If you want something more peaceful than BCV, you might look into Old Key West. They have very large 1 and 2 bedrooms. If you don't want to go through the hassle of renting points from a DVC member, I believe you can book these rooms through Disney (at least the Beach Club Villas).

 

[KMT]

whew!!!! Great advice... After talking with my boys... the 5 year olds ( virtual twins... one bilological one adopted for Guatemala... but three days apart) they really want to stay at AK for the second half... My poor four year old daughter didn't appear to have much of a vote... Both boys are animal nuts so thats decided.... or most of it is... Is the concierge level worth it and are the suites large enough for five people or do we need two rooms?

Now I have to figure out the first half..... I'm down there for buiness for some of it at the Swan/Dolphin ( that's where the convention is) Are those even an option? or is the Contemporary, Grand Floridian or Poly a lot better options... We need access to MK park the most I think due to my kids ages and as I said a great pool...

Can you tell I'm clueless?

Anyway thanks for everyone's suggestions!

Kris