Resort for 18 and 5 year old

[freshstart19]

Hello! I'm new here. I'm looking for a hotel that would be good for both my college freshman and pre-k daughters. I want to take advantage of less crowds while most kids are back in school before the pre-k one starts school next year. Which mod or deluxe would be good for both of them? I was originally focusing on a great pool with slides or beach, but now I'm thinking that Florida won't be warm enough in early January. Hmmmm, maybe a trip to Atlantis is a better idea. Thanks!

 

[Buzz2001]

Hello! I'm new here. I'm looking for a hotel that would be good for both my college freshman and pre-k daughters. I want to take advantage of less crowds while most kids are back in school before the pre-k one starts school next year. Which mod or deluxe would be good for both of them? I was originally focusing on a great pool with slides or beach, but now I'm thinking that Florida won't be warm enough in early January. Hmmmm, maybe a trip to Atlantis is a better idea. Thanks!

For a mod, I would recommend CSR!! Check out my dedicated CSR website below for pics and info. Your 18 year old will love the Dig Site for the arcade, sand volleyball court and poll and slide. There are great food options at Siestas too. Your 5 year old will the the playground, pool opening ceremony and kids games along with the kiddie pool and/or main pool. All located in the same area.

 

[lilyv]

I realize you didn't mention a value, but I thought this option would possibly be great for your family. I've not stayed at ASMu Suites, but I've hear over and over again that they are quite nice. There is plenty of room for all of you, plus 2 bathrooms, and 2 TV's. Here's the link to the DIS review:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/asm-suite-review.html

Another review by a boardmember:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

Sometimes college kids need a little space-this might suit her well, while she's also enjoying time with her younger sister and Mom.

Good luck as you start planning a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[freshstart19]

We actually stayed at the CSR when it first opened for our "familY" honeymoon. The teenager was 7 at the time. I was looking to try a differet property this time although we did enjoy it. It might make sense to stay closer to Downtown Disney in case the now free college student wants to out. We may have to bring a friend along for her

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi, if you want to stay close to DTD, Port Orleans French Quarter might be a good place to stay at. There is the boat to DTD, the pool with the serpent slide seems to be a great hit with kids and the elegant atmosphere might be something for your teenager.

Otherwise I think that the Animal Kingdom Lodge has lots to offer to all age groups. Lovely pool, animal watching, great cast members to tell you things about the animals and Africa, lots of activities: from crafts for the kids to art tours for the grown ups. It is a bit further away from DTD and MK, but most people (including myself) comment on that there are plenty of busses and the trip to Epcot, MGM and of course AK is not that far! If you want a bit more space, you could look into getting one of the rooms converted into DVC one bedroom appartments (Animal Kingdom Villas)

 

[GovieMom]

I would also recommend AKL, as it has something to appeal to every age. My (older) teens loved it; it's their favorite resort. Their favorite moderate is POR because it's gorgeous, and also has the boat ride to Downtown Disney. The French Quarter is nice, but their pool is geared toward young children.

 

[Shmily1]

I would recommend BC for a Deluxe. It is close to MGM and closer to Epcot. It is very near the Boardwalk which has, from what I hear, a great piano bar and dance hall, as well as some great entertainment for the little ones. The pool is awesome which you woud be able to use during most days, less in the evenings. It has a big slide that starts as part of a pirate ship. There is a character breakfast at Cape May Cafe at BC that my DD16 and DS17 both loved. This is a resort that everyone would love! There is a lot to do there and a lot to see! Enjoy your trip!

 

[raven69david]

Another vote for AKL. Great resort and it's one of the cheapest Deluxe's along with Wilderness Lodge. The animals will keep the 5 year old busy and the activities (such as viewing the animals at night with nightvision) will keep the 18 year old happy. There are tons of other activities too. A list of them is provided when you check-in to the resort. I got my current room for $129 a night so it's definetly affordable if you stay on your toes and wait for the codes to drop.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I would vote for Beach Club, Boardwalk or Yachtclub.
I wish I'd have known about that area when my son was a teen-ager, we'd have definitely stayed there. He could have walked over to his two favorite parks, EPCOT and MGM and there's also always something going on at the Boardwalk.

I'm also not sure of the weather in January, but if there would be a possibility of a warm day the big pool complex would be fun for the little ones. Your only drawback is taking the bus to Magic Kingdom for the little ones, but they run pretty conveniently. I guess I would lean toward making it nicer for the older one to have the chance to do something fun for an hour or two if the little ones need more attention, or a break, or nap for a bit.

My two were 6 and 8 on various trips and don't remember a whole lot about them, so I think the little ones will have fun either way.

The Beach Club also has a Snack Bar which would also be nice for everyone for quick pick me ups or handy small meals. They also have Beaches and Cream and the character meal breakfast and the Princess meal right at EPCOT. The Boardwalk also has magicians and a piano man at night. Even from the Boardwalk it's only a boat ride or walk away.

When our kids were little we did stay at the Contemporary, but only because they at that time had the biggest game room and that's what they voted for, but I do wish we'd have known about the EPCOT resorts when our youngest came with us at 16, he did take the monorail over when we stayed back with grandma for a break, but it sure would have been nice to have both EPCOT and MGM so convenient for him.

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks everyone. I actually did start to look in the AK Lodge but they didn't have anymore suites available. I was trying for a suite in case I decide to bring a friend along for the 18 year old. We are planning on renting a car so transporatation is such an issue although it would be if the older one did bring a friend. I playing with the idea of booking the room separately and then get the tickets and dining plan through AAA. From your experience, is that cheaper? My husband doesn't like to eat on the run so I'm sure we'll be doing sit down dinners at night.

 

[freshstart19]

I was also thinking of not getting the hopper pass option since we're only going to be there for 3 or 4 days. Doing a park a day seems to make sense since it won't be soooo crowded. But, can we do a character dinner at Epcot if we don't go to the park that day? I guess I've gone off my lodging topic.

 

[raven69david]

I was also thinking of not getting the hopper pass option since we're only going to be there for 3 or 4 days. Doing a park a day seems to make sense since it won't be soooo crowded. But, can we do a character dinner at Epcot if we don't go to the park that day? I guess I've gone off my lodging topic.

I'd re-think the park hopper option. We needed them with two 2 year olds last year and we've learned our lesson. From here on out, park hoppers for us. With the park hopper, you'll be able to make an ADR at Epcot and enjoy two parks in one day (i.e. visit AKL [which closes at 5pm usually] or any other park and then go to ADR at EPCOT)

 

[LSchrow]

I would vote for Beach Club, Boardwalk or Yachtclub.

ditto!
lots for the 5yo to do (SAB, etc), as well as the 18yo (she can walk over to the BW or epcot, ferry/walk to mgm).
we find the area incredibly convenient when traveling with varied ages!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks everyone. I actually did start to look in the AK Lodge but they didn't have anymore suites available. I was trying for a suite in case I decide to bring a friend along for the 18 year old. We are planning on renting a car so transporatation is such an issue although it would be if the older one did bring a friend. I playing with the idea of booking the room separately and then get the tickets and dining plan through AAA. From your experience, is that cheaper? My husband doesn't like to eat on the run so I'm sure we'll be doing sit down dinners at night.

You can only book the dining plan when you have a package with room and tickets. You can book a package with AAA and get a AAA discount on the room if available.

I was also thinking of not getting the hopper pass option since we're only going to be there for 3 or 4 days. Doing a park a day seems to make sense since it won't be soooo crowded. But, can we do a character dinner at Epcot if we don't go to the park that day? I guess I've gone off my lodging topic.

If you decided not to get the hoppers you can add them that option at anytime when you get there.

You will need the hopper pass if you go to one park in the morning and want to have dinner at Epcot in the evening.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks everyone. I actually did start to look in the AK Lodge but they didn't have anymore suites available. I was trying for a suite in case I decide to bring a friend along for the 18 year old. We are planning on renting a car so transporatation is such an issue although it would be if the older one did bring a friend. I playing with the idea of booking the room separately and then get the tickets and dining plan through AAA. From your experience, is that cheaper? My husband doesn't like to eat on the run so I'm sure we'll be doing sit down dinners at night.

You might want to look at the Animal Kingdom Villas, the new DVC resort. The villas available now are inside the existing AKL. A one bedroom villa might be just what you are looking for.

Regarding the dining plan, as someone mentioned, if you want to to get it, you will need to get a package. Also keep in mind that the dining plan does no longer include an appetizer and tip in 2008, so in my opinion it is not such a good deal anymore. You can still have sit down meals without it, but you gain a lot of flexibility if you don't buy it. However, you would still need to get ADRs for yoour sit down meals.

I am not sure whether you are planning for 2008 or 2009, but for 2008 there is a discounted package available at the moment: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=07_Q2ValueOfferPage

I was also thinking of not getting the hopper pass option since we're only going to be there for 3 or 4 days. Doing a park a day seems to make sense since it won't be soooo crowded. But, can we do a character dinner at Epcot if we don't go to the park that day? I guess I've gone off my lodging topic.

As someone else mentioned, you can always add the hopper option later on. Also keep in mind that starting with the 5th day I think every additional day will only cost you a little bit more. You still can't use this to park hop, but if you are planning to spend days away from the park, you could still use one day for dinner at Epcot as it will not cost you 30 $ each to enter Epcot.

 

[freshstart19]

I've been struggling for days with where to stay. A TA has recommended a 2 bedroom in Saratoga Springs that will be $3,045 with tickets and dining plan. This is for a 3 night stay from 1/5 to 1/8. I had it in my mind that I was going during a cheaper season!!! The room alone is $1788.75. When I compare that to an Island suite in Buena Vista Palace for $956.28, I'm having difficulty justifying paying that much more money for 3 magic extra hours in MK and MGM. There are no AKL villas available. MK will be open until 11pm on our day of arrival. My husband really wants a separate room so the 18 year olds can stay up late and not bother the sleeping 5 year old. For our dates, can the 18 year olds hit everything during the regular park hours? If so, I can sure save a lot of money. As far as the Dining Plan goes, I've currently booked 3 meals totalling $378.85. Since the plan is $500 for the 5 of us, my DH thinks it's a good idea. He believes that we'd be spending about $750 t0 $800 on food!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Have you considered 2 rooms at Pop? About half of the rooms are connecting so you chances of getting connecting rooms that time of year are very good.

The bus service at Pop is very good so your 18 year old could easily get around. Your 5 year old will love it there.

Sounds like your DH will enjoy the meal plan.