Resort suggestion: Disney decisions by data

[Maine_Belle]

I am planning a trip for mid September 2021, and am excited that I can finally start getting into the spreadsheet details! My husband is not thrilled with Disney getting our money, but the kids and I are excited!

This will be our second and probably last family trip. We went for 3 days 4 years ago, staying at POR. This time I want to stay 7-10 nights- plenty of time to relax and spread out the rides and fun. (The hubs complained last time of little down time, but with so few days, he didn't understand how we'd have to plan everything out in order to actually partake of activities. Thank goodness he had me.)

Being a nerd, I made a survey for all 4 of us to take, to evaluate what was most important to make a Disney trip awesome.

The results of most important, in order: thrill rides, pool time, classic rides, staying up late, great food, resort down time. Least important: water activities, shopping, seeing animals.

We'll likely spend lots of time at HS for the thrill rides and EP for the food. Probably good amount at MK for rides as well. Husband has expressed interest in Poly. With a 12yo boy and 8yo girl, I like the idea of a 1 br somewhere with two beds for the kids; I like the space to spread out and the full kitchen for breakfasts and leftovers. Budget is in play here, though I am assuming this whole thing is gonna be pricey.

Based on kid ages/size/ temperament, resort price, and survey results, where would you recommend we stay? We wouldn't do a split stay, do want to stay on property, and at the end of the day, budget is probably the most important factor, or at least equal to meeting a bunch of the high data results. I'm def open to renting dvc points.

 

[CarolynFH]

Unfortunately for your husband, Poly has only studios, meaning just a kitchenette, and it’s basically a Poly hotel room with a queen bed, a queen sofa bed, and a bunk-size Murphy bed, plus two bathrooms (but only one toilet).

If you want a 1 bedroom and plan to spend most time in Epcot and DHS, then renting points or paying cash for BWV or BCV makes a lot of sense. The drawback there is bed space - a king in the master and a queen sofa bed. If you need separate sleeping spaces for the kids, you’ll have to bring a sleeping bag or cot. BCV has access to Stormalong Bay, a mini water park; BWV has a great slide.

Riviera 1 bedrooms have a twin size Murphy in addition the other beds, so separate sleeping spaces for the kids. It also has the Skyliner access to DHS and Epcot, so it would also work. The drawback there is that it’s much more expensive than BWV or BCV.

You should probably also price out the family suites at Art of Animation. The Big Blue Pool there is very popular, and it also has Skyliner access to DHS and Epcot.

 

[marjorieeeee]

Art of animation suites have 3 beds and a kitchenette. The finding Nemo pool is one of the biggest on property, and there’s two quiet pools too. Skyliner to HS for rides and Epcot for food. Budget friendly, but might be too cartoony for your older kids and only has cafeteria food.

I suggest when you’re searching for resorts to look for 6 adults, so you only see rooms with 3 beds. When you decide which you want, then switch to your actual number of people.

 

[Maine_Belle]

I suggest when you’re searching for resorts to look for 6 adults, so you only see rooms with 3 beds. When you decide which you want, then switch to your actual number of people.

Oooh, interesting suggestion! Looking at properties to only find a queen pullout is annoying and definitely won't fly with my argumentative pair!

 

[a742246]

Did you think of staying in a 2 BR unit in Bonnet Creek? While its not a Disney unit it is still in the bubble.

 

[TotallyTink]

Cabins at Fort Wilderness, perhaps? They have bunk beds and a queen bed in the bedroom and a kitchen/living room area. They have charcoal grills and a picnic table too.

 

[unrequited23]

Take a look at the All Star Music remodeled family suites if budget and separate sleeping spaces are high on your list.
https://touringplans.com/blog/2019/...ll-star-music-family-suites-quick-photo-tour/

 

[Deb & Bill]

Check out BLT in a one bedroom. You'll have two full bathrooms, a queen sleeper and twin sleeper chair in the living room, plus the king bed in the living room. And a full kitchen, plus a laundry room.

 

[CarolynFH]

Check out BLT in a one bedroom. You'll have two full bathrooms, a queen sleeper and twin sleeper chair in the living room, plus the king bed in the living room. And a full kitchen, plus a laundry room.

AKL Kidani has the same setup, and probably a nicer pool. However, if you plan to spend most Park time at Epcot and DHS, from BLT you’ll need to ride two monorails to Epcot and a bus to DHS, while AKL is busses everywhere.

 

[Wild4Walt]

If your husband is a Poly fan I'm assuming some of it has to do with theme ( more than location ). Poly will be on the higher end and only a studio as others have said - I'd also recommend pricing out Old Key West. The theme is also tropical and since this was the original DVC the rooms are slightly larger and the studio will price less than the studio at the Poly. The 1 bedroom here is also a nice size with a great balcony.

 

[Maine_Belle]

I love all these suggestions and the explanations why! I'm so glad to be back on the Dis planning again. Thank you!

Happy to hear more recommendations and your thoughts around the benefit we'd be getting. I certainly have come to some of the same conclusions suggested here, but there are some awesome new perspectives! I'm not opposed to spending for a deluxe or saving in a value if we really get a great set of our wants met or whatever. I doubt anywhere will be perfect, but the more highlights I meet, the easier my case is to make for my better half!

 

[JillyMouse]

How about a standard hotel room at a Deluxe? Many have two queen beds, plus a day bed, and double sinks in the bathroom. Technically sleep up to five. Plenty of room for a family of four. My family is staying at the Contemporary in less than 3 weeks, and my son will get his own bed (one of the queens), and my daughter the day bed. No kitchen, though . . .

 

[5kidsmommy]

I think if you go with a value AoA would be nice because of the skyliner access. The rooms have three beds and two bathrooms plus a larger fridge and microwave. The pools are big but there are no slides.

You'd have to price out one bedroom DVC rentals but I agree that Old Key West would be less expensive than the other one bedroom options and you'll get the full kitchen.

 

[CarolynFH]

I love all these suggestions and the explanations why! I'm so glad to be back on the Dis planning again. Thank you!

Happy to hear more recommendations and your thoughts around the benefit we'd be getting. I certainly have come to some of the same conclusions suggested here, but there are some awesome new perspectives! I'm not opposed to spending for a deluxe or saving in a value if we really get a great set of our wants met or whatever. I doubt anywhere will be perfect, but the more highlights I meet, the easier my case is to make for my better half!

How about a standard hotel room at a Deluxe? Many have two queen beds, plus a day bed, and double sinks in the bathroom. Technically sleep up to five. Plenty of room for a family of four. My family is staying at the Contemporary in less than 3 weeks, and my son will get his own bed (one of the queens), and my daughter the day bed. No kitchen, though . . .

This was exactly us at the Poly 20+ years ago - the trip when we bought DVC because we needed more space and a kitchen!

 

[Malestrom Troll]

IMO, based on a budget factor an AoA suite makes the most sense. The Skyliner access to Epcot and HS is a bonus. If money wasn't a factor, a 1bdr BWV or BCV would be nice.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

IMO, based on a budget factor an AoA suite makes the most sense. The Skyliner access to Epcot and HS is a bonus. If money wasn't a factor, a 1bdr BWV or BCV would be nice.