Resort Advice Needed

[oregonmommyof2]

My husband, myself, son(9), and daughter(5) will be in Disney World from December 8th to the 18th... We are booked at Pop on the basic dining plan... We are considering upgrading to a moderate or upgrading to the deluxe dining plan... So which upgrade would you choose? If it's the moderate, which one of those would you choose... Please keep in mind that the first 6 days we are there, so are the Pop Warner kids, so POFQ and POR I have heard will have teams staying there... yikes...

Also, my daughter turns 5 the day we arrive, what restraunt would you recommend for her birthday dinner?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[wilde_oscar]

to really get the best value out of deluxe, you need to do a lot of restaurant reservations. If pop warner is not staying at Pop you will hardly notice them. the regular DDP I think is best used with a big breakfast, and a quick CS for dinner. that way you get max park time... breakfast before the parks open, CS in the parks... also DxDDP is a lot of food... you'll be full from regular DDP let alone 3 big meals a day and 2 snacks.

 

[Aliceacc]

I agree.

I'm a first timer (or at least a first-in-a-LONG-timer) as well. We went with the standard DDP. Finances aside, I didn't want dining to take up that much of our touring time.

Why not consider Carribean Beach or Coronado Springs?

Oh, and from what I've read, why not Chef Mickey's for the birthday dinner?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I would upgrade to a mod and skip the deluxe dining plan. Believe me, we've done the regular dining plan and it's more than enough food.

Both CBR and CSR are really nice resorts. I think you'll be happy with either.
Mods all have slides so I'm sure your kids would love that!

For a birthday dinner for your dd I would recommend either 1900 Park Fare (Cinderella's Gala Feast) or Chef Mickeys. Have fun!

 

[oregonmommyof2]

Thanks for the responses... So we will be sticking with the basic dining plan... So it is between CBR and CSR...

Which one is better for Christmas time???

 

[geokeim]

Hi,
I don't know what u r spending for a mod. but I would check WDW Dolphin for a price. My family and I have stayed at almost all the resorts, and we LOVE the Dolphin for its proximity to Epcot & MGM. (its next to Boardwalk & Beach Club)
While its no longer a "Disney" resort, it might as well be. They are ALWAYS very accommodating and will give us free room upgrades (a better view) if available.

I would also recommend the Princess Breakfast at Epcot (Norway, I believe)
for the birthday girl if she likes Princesses. Its not to well known, but excellent.
Chef Mickeys @ Contemporary is also an excellent choice for Lunch or Dinner.
The Princess one at the castle is also great but sometimes difficult to book.

But no matter what you choose, they are all nice and you will have a blast.
Don't let it overwhelm you, it's supposed to be fun!

Geo
P.S. If you don't already own it, buy the unofficial guide to Disney.
(its worth it just for the park ride sequence schedule) This will save you HOURS of standing in line if you use it as they suggest.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Although they are both great resorts I would go with CBR since they will be finished the new pool by then. I hear it's supposed to be a great, pirate themed pool. I'm also partial to the tropical, beachy feel at CBR.

Neither CBR or CSR has a "Christmasy" feel to them. For that I think you'd have to go to WL or GF. Your kids will love CBR though.

 

[DrDeb]

POP was great this Christmas and so is Boardwalk- but definitely go to GF to see the gingerbread house!

 

[ntsammy5]

Just as an aside -- the Swolphin does not participate in DDP.

1900 Park would be nice as a princess meal and CRT would be great, but remember you'd have to use a day's admission for that just in case you weren't planning on going to the parks the first day an IIRC it's also 2 credits on DDP.

As for the resorts, I'm partial to CBR, but either would be nice. I agree with PP though, the recently upgraded pool (September finish) is a plus for CBR.

 

[oregonmommyof2]

We have stayed at Pop before in July of 2004... I remember the rooms being on the smaller side, but it didn't really bother us, we are pretty low maintenance when it comes to hotels... Are the rooms at a mod any bigger? We will be staying for ten days and I am just worried that the room will get a little too cramped for comfort.

Thank you for the dining recommendations, my dh says I should never be given choices on anything cause I am a total planner and research everything. I am driving him nuts with all the different options we have. Any other restaurants we should look into? The kids and dh are all about the character meals... My ds and I are picky eaters but can usually find something anywhere we go...

Okay now on to MVMCP... Should we go? I am thinking so, my kids can wake up early and go all day and still stay up late so that isn't an issue, plus we will break after lunch and go back in the afternoon just to avoid the meltdown from dd... Do the Pop Warner kids attend that party? Should we go the week after they leave?

Thank you so much!