Resort help needed for 3 adults, a preschooler, and infant

[lspst8]

I just wanted to get some opinions on resort choices for an upcoming trip I am planning using my free dining pin for thisNovember. Our traveling party will be myself, my DH, our two girls, who will be almost 3 and almost 1 in Nov., and my mom.

We aren't really interested in staying at a value resort, other than a family suite at AoA. I think the extra space would be great, but then I think of how the location of the Poly or Beach Club or Boardwalk might be worth the extra money. I also think it would be neat to stay at AKL because I absolutely love the theme. A standard room there is only 100 more than AoA, but, of course, much less space and its unlikely we would be able to see animals from the balcony.

I feel like this is the hardest part of taking a disney vacation. Once I have the hotel picked, i feel that everything else will fall into place. All suggestions/advice will be appreciated.

 

[AliceIn]

I think I'd go for the AoA suite with three adults and two children. I would not be comfortable sharing a room with my FIL, and I'm sure my DH would not want my mother sleeping in the next bed.

 

[WsPrincess]

We LOVED the Contemporary with me, DH, my mom, DD3 and DS 1.5. It was perfect because we had the 2 queens, the daybed and PnP for DS plus we were SO CLOSE to the MK. Now, DH and my mom get a lot great which is the only way it worked. What about renting DVC points?

 

[WisconsinDad]

With a free dining pin, I'm not even sure it would be that much more expensive to stay at a deluxe vs AoA suites. I'm assuming the pin would get you QSDP at AoA and DDP at a deluxe.

For us, the only reason we would ever choose a deluxe would be for convenience to parks so IMO, it would be worth it to upgrade to BC/YC/BWI (if you'll be spending a lot of time in Epcot or the boardwalk) or CR/Poly/GF (if you'll spend a majority of the time in MK).

We were originally booked in an AoA suite for this August (liked the room amenties, especially having two bathrooms) but switched to the CR-GW when RO discounts were released for late Aug. With the discount, the total package price wasn't much more than AoA.

Also keep in mind the efforts of packing up strolllers for the bus trips to the parks. I've witnessed people struggling with this; I'm sure a stroll into Epcot through the International Gateway or walking from CR to MK would be much easier!

 

[lspst8]

I would love to stay at the Contemporary, but unfortunately, they only Have club level available for our travel dates. Way more than I was hoping to spend!

 

[ixmnrs]

I would love to stay at the Contemporary, but unfortunately, they only Have club level available for our travel dates. Way more than I was hoping to spend!

I agree with the benefits of being at CR listed above. What about BLT or renting DVC Points for a stay at BLT? Being at AOA and relying on Disney transportation with 2 young ones can be a little stressful.

 

[ElizabethG]

I agree with the benefits of being at CR listed above. What about BLT or renting DVC Points for a stay at BLT? Being at AOA and relying on Disney transportation with 2 young ones can be a little stressful.

If you know you won't be cancelling, renting points could be a good idea. You could rent at either BLT or AKV (since you like the theme). The one bedrooms at both have 2 bathrooms (Kidani only, not Jambo). They sleep 5 and have a PnP. So, you would have some options.

 

[Dis703]

Deluxe for me is all about location as well. We recently stayed 3 adults and 3 kids at the BC and thought it was the perfect location. Walk to Epcot, walk or boat to HS, the Boardwalk at night, it was a win win. AKL just doesn't have a location draw for me although it is cheaper than other deluxes it seems.

We did not have a room with a daybed but my MIL's room did. We did however get a murphy cot that worked fine for us and still had 2 pack and plays at night. You can request a daybed though.

 

[lspst8]

We actually looked into renting points, but it seemed like such a hassle. And neither of the agencies we tried could get us one bedrooms at our preferred resorts. It seemed like only SSR and OKW had availability.

 

[AliceIn]

Deluxe for me is all about location as well. We recently stayed 3 adults and 3 kids at the BC and thought it was the perfect location. Walk to Epcot, walk or boat to HS, the Boardwalk at night, it was a win win. AKL just doesn't have a location draw for me although it is cheaper than other deluxes it seems.

We did not have a room with a daybed but my MIL's room did. We did however get a murphy cot that worked fine for us and still had 2 pack and plays at night. You can request a daybed though.

Did you have two rooms? I thought the OP was talking about fitting everybody into one room.

That's where I would have a problem with in-laws - I get along with mine, but would not be comfortable being in such close quarters for a vacation. If we were all sharing one accommodation, then it would be the AoA. If it were two rooms? I'd go for the BC/YC or the Poly for the convenience factor.

 

[Dis703]

Did you have two rooms? I thought the OP was talking about fitting everybody into one room.

That's where I would have a problem with in-laws - I get along with mine, but would not be comfortable being in such close quarters for a vacation. If we were all sharing one accommodation, then it would be the AoA. If it were two rooms? I'd go for the BC/YC or the Poly for the convenience factor.

Oh sorry, I added MIL there and it got confusing. We had 3 adults and 3 kids in one room (DH, me and my sister) and then my MIL came for part of the trip and had her own separate room. Her room had a daybed and was a corner room, very large and spacious. Our room was smaller with no daybed but we still did fine with the extra cot. It was a murphy so you could put it up during the day for space.

I guess it really depends on the person. We did fine with my sister and I would be fine staying with my MIL. My own parents however......well that might be too close for me.

 

[Marthasor]

Will your free dining pin work for a 1-bedroom at BLT, VWL, BWV, AKV or BCV? With your family configuration, I would choose a 1-bedroom at any of those resorts over a standard room at a deluxe or AoA suite.

 

[ElizabethG]

We actually looked into renting points, but it seemed like such a hassle. And neither of the agencies we tried could get us one bedrooms at our preferred resorts. It seemed like only SSR and OKW had availability.

That is a busy DVC time. BLT and the Epcot resorts book up quickly. AKV is usually available, though. I was curious, so I just looked up the week before Thanksgiving. There were 1-bdrms at both Kidani and Jambo with either standard or savanah views. They are much further from most of the parks, but it is so wonderful. Although, the convenience factor is important. I haven't actually spent our entire vacation there. We tend to stay there for half of our vacation.