WDW is making my life miserable

[sbeets]

I constantly stare at the resort choices, and I've changed resorts probably 10 times. There are just too many good resorts! Each one has its advantages, and look wonderful in their own way. I don't need help making resort decisions. I know I can't go wrong. I just need to pick the resort that is the "most right." I know almost all of you can relate to my distress.

 

[KSR0330]

What about a split stay? Then you can try two in one trip!

 

[Kryssie27]

What about a split stay? Then you can try two in one trip!

Yep! That's what I was going to say. Disney makes it very easy to switch resorts!

 

[magicaldisney]

What have you narrowed it down to? What time of year will you be there? How many and ages in your party?

 

[sbeets]

We're there Dec 20-26 and I don't want a split stay for 6 nights. (I had an uprising when I did a condo/resort split stay in Hawaii, it wasn't pretty.) My kids are another problem, 16, 13, and 3 so I'm across the spectrum. I currently have a deluxe GF with free dining, but also a YC CL room only. Estimating meal expense (don't want meal plan if we're staying club), the GF is probably $500 more, but the room has A LOT more space. I'm not sure the GF is our style, but the monorail would be nice. We've already stayed at CR, and didn't care for the sterility, and I'd like to save the Poly for a future trip when I won't hear construction, which leaves GF. I'm really leaning towards YC but don't want to cancel GF yet because it has free dining. I keep reminding myself it's a good problem to have. Two great resorts, each with great advantages.

 

[melifeld]

Given your situation, with 2 teenagers, I would go for more space.

 

[Ladyfish77]

I'd stay GF because of the Monorail. With teens, they can hop on the monorail and go to MK or EP and you can put the little one to bed and still possibly watch fireworks from your room (if it's facing the right way).

 

[alliecat523]

I would say GF for the space too. After a long day, you may all need some room.

 

[TsLoveMickey]

GF: space, free dining for teenagers, monorail. Winner!

ETA, I'm having the same problem. I've changed dates and resorts half a dozen times... I'm driving my DH and the poor CMs I keep calling CRAZY!!

 

[sbeets]

GF: space, free dining for teenagers, monorail. Winner!

ETA, I'm having the same problem. I've changed dates and resorts half a dozen times... I'm driving my DH and the poor CMs I keep calling CRAZY!!

Good luck with your decision! It's still agonizing. I know we're going to have a great trip, in either resort.

 

[Accident]

Here is what I do.....

Is there anything specific for when I'm staying that would improve the reason I'm there? In your case it looks like christmas week so for me, I would be after more decorated for the holidays like GF or WL. Then I sort out where I plan to be and how often, is there a resort left in the list that's closer to where I'm going to be and reduce my travel time between resort and what we plan to do to enjoy more time doing things? Then when done, am I willing to spend that much money and are there any reasons to look for lower cost like we just won't be in the room and it really doesn't matter how decorated for the occasion it'll be?

In all honesty, I tend to go back and forth between a couple resorts but eventually narrow in on a good atmosphere vs cost that fits the trip. I personally like spending less on the room and ramping up the budget on everything else including keeping a trip lower cost and doing 2 longer or multiple trips in the same year instead of just 1 overpriced trip.

Good luck, it's a pain to pick but like you said anything will be good you just need to decide what your looking for out of a resort.

 

[Nancyg56]

What are your park plans? I have stayed at both GF and BC, and both for different reasons. THat is what I woudl base my decision on. The monorail is convenient, but honestly the service has been iffy at best lately. The Grand will be beautifully decorated, and there will be more space in the room. YC is walking distance to Epcot. Will you be spending more time thee or in the MK? How much time do you spend in the resort? If you tend to use the resort as part of your vacation, then I would choose YC CL so that you have the lounge to relax in when the little one is resting or the teens need a little more space.

 

[dkrauss]

How about looking at things around what you looking to, for lack of a better word, trying to accomplish on the trip.

We're going down in December for a quickie trip for Disapalooza, so we got a standard room at AoA. Our January 2016 trip is for Marathon week and DAW , so we're renting points at the BWV's, to be closer to Epcot! We're planning a week in November 2016 with my brother and his family...........so we're looking at a Savannah view at AKV's for the kids (who both love animals). Oh.....yeah and there's a tentative booking in July for the DIS Unplugged 10th anniversary quickie trip........and we've got POR for that, since both my wife and I took our children to the resort when they were kids.........nostalgia (on both levels) .

Your correct in that you can't go wrong with the resort.........so let the theme of the trip guide you.

Doug

 

[thisismyusername]

Not to throw a wrench into your planning, but the "lot more space" isn't true, unless you were getting a deluxe room. It's slightly bigger. Not even really that noticeable, IMO. But I'd pick the GF over the YC right now because of the condition of the resort... FWIW, also, I think a split stay with dining plan and CL and MK and Epcot is the most ideal Disney vacation.

 

[Micca]

We're there Dec 20-26 and I don't want a split stay for 6 nights. (I had an uprising when I did a condo/resort split stay in Hawaii, it wasn't pretty.) My kids are another problem, 16, 13, and 3 so I'm across the spectrum. I currently have a deluxe GF with free dining, but also a YC CL room only. Estimating meal expense (don't want meal plan if we're staying club), the GF is probably $500 more, but the room has A LOT more space. I'm not sure the GF is our style, but the monorail would be nice. We've already stayed at CR, and didn't care for the sterility, and I'd like to save the Poly for a future trip when I won't hear construction, which leaves GF. I'm really leaning towards YC but don't want to cancel GF yet because it has free dining. I keep reminding myself it's a good problem to have. Two great resorts, each with great advantages.

Not sure what the style issue is. I've seen concern from others that GF might be a bit "high falutin" (who says that anymore?) for families with kids that might get a little noisy or rambunctious. I'd argue that the place will be packed with kids, and GF is really just a comfortable hotel that happens to have a facade of elegance. I'll add my vote for GF.

 

[sbeets]

It really is a 50/50 split for me, here's my thoughts

1. DS16 is a wrestler, and the free dining plan while at GF may kill him. It takes a lot of will power not to overeat while at buffets and sit down restaurants. The room only discount for YC CL would give us a light breakfast, counter service lunch (maybe even a split meal), evening apps, and maybe another CS supper or snack would work better for him. I feel bad taking him to WDW during the wrestling season.
2. DH and I had supper at GF, and didn't think it had that warm Disney feeling. I get the impression that will be quite different at Christmas. This will likely be our only Christmas trip to WDW, and the GF looks amazing.
3. Storm Along Bay looks perfect for my teens to enjoy while DD3 naps. We're cold blooded Minnesotans so as long as it's nearly 70 degrees, we're in the water.
4. The YC CL would also be a great place for teens and a parent to relax while DD3 naps.

Thank you to everyone for your input. You've switched my thinking to GF. There is always something to do at MK, and a quick trip to the park for a few hours here and there may fill our touring style.

 

[Becky322]

I am a huge fan of all monorail resorts. I, personally, love CR, but understand if it's not your style. I think the GF is beautiful and so convenient. I would definitely go for that just to have the convenience of the monorail alone with your kids.

 

[Micca]

It really is a 50/50 split for me, here's my thoughts

1. DS16 is a wrestler, and the free dining plan while at GF may kill him. It takes a lot of will power not to overeat while at buffets and sit down restaurants. The room only discount for YC CL would give us a light breakfast, counter service lunch (maybe even a split meal), evening apps, and maybe another CS supper or snack would work better for him. I feel bad taking him to WDW during the wrestling season.

It's not about the wrestling, doesn't he have a prom coming up in the Spring?

2. DH and I had supper at GF, and didn't think it had that warm Disney feeling. I get the impression that will be quite different at Christmas. This will likely be our only Christmas trip to WDW, and the GF looks amazing.

It will be awesome, and please keep in mind you don't have to eat there. Grand Floridian Cafe is generally pretty good though.


3. Storm Along Bay looks perfect for my teens to enjoy while DD3 naps. We're cold blooded Minnesotans so as long as it's nearly 70 degrees, we're in the water.

I hear ya, but what if it's not 70?


4. The YC CL would also be a great place for teens and a parent to relax while DD3 naps.

Absolutely! No question about it.

Thank you to everyone for your input. You've switched my thinking to GF. There is always something to do at MK, and a quick trip to the park for a few hours here and there may fill our touring style.

You'll do great either way!

 

[Disneychick75]

With a 16 year old and a 13 year old, I'd go with the YC CL or another Epcot location. ESPN has an awesome game room. When my daughter and her friends were those ages, they wanted the Epcot resort area for the game room and also because DHS is close. A 3 year old would probably be happy anywhere at WDW.

 

[Aurora0427]

We're there Dec 20-26 and I don't want a split stay for 6 nights. (I had an uprising when I did a condo/resort split stay in Hawaii, it wasn't pretty.) My kids are another problem, 16, 13, and 3 so I'm across the spectrum. I currently have a deluxe GF with free dining, but also a YC CL room only. Estimating meal expense (don't want meal plan if we're staying club), the GF is probably $500 more, but the room has A LOT more space. I'm not sure the GF is our style, but the monorail would be nice. We've already stayed at CR, and didn't care for the sterility, and I'd like to save the Poly for a future trip when I won't hear construction, which leaves GF. I'm really leaning towards YC but don't want to cancel GF yet because it has free dining. I keep reminding myself it's a good problem to have. Two great resorts, each with great advantages.

We've stayed at both, and the GF is incredible, especially at Christmas. The rooms at the YC looked tired last time we were there, and the room refurb hasn't started yet.

Not to mention, we found all of the staff at GF to be very warm and friendly. Such great service.